Bangkok: Police have successfully arrested "Tae Wat Yang" after an intense 17-hour negotiation following reports of his erratic behavior. The police operation, which began after Mr. Nattawat, also known as Tae, was reported acting aggressively in his residence, led to his arrest once he was found exhausted inside the house. Authorities have confirmed the tactical operation and stated their intention to press charges against him.
According to Thai News Agency, police received a report at 8:10 a.m. that Tae, 31, was behaving violently in a house behind Wat Lakorn Tham in the Bang Khun Non District. He was reportedly armed with a gun, a sword, and an improvised explosive device. The police sealed off the area following the report. During the standoff, six shots were fired into the air and three shots aimed at the police, with one shot returned. No hostages were taken as four people in the house remained locked in their rooms on the second floor while Tae stayed on the ground floor. His wife, who was not present during the incident as she had gone to pick up their child from school, informed the media of an ongoing argument with her husband spanning four days. She disclosed that Tae had not been sleeping and was under the influence of drugs, contributing to his erratic behavior.
Mr. Tae has a history of drug-related arrests and had recently been detained by Bang Khun Non Police Station for drug use, subsequently entering a drug rehabilitation program. During the incident, Tae's friends attempted to negotiate with him, but he remained defiant, expressing a desire to fight to the death. The police employed a megaphone for negotiations at 30-minute intervals, although these efforts initially failed. The police also coordinated with Tae's relatives to assist in the negotiation efforts, but he remained unresponsive and ceased firing his weapon.
At approximately 12:17 AM, the Arintharat 26 unit intervened by discharging a firearm at the door to gain entry and successfully apprehended Tae at Wat Yang. Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nuanma, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, stated that after securing the area for over 17 hours, the decision was made to forcibly enter the premises. Tae was found in an exhausted state, and the operation was deemed necessary to deplete his resistance. Following his arrest, Tae will undergo a drug test.
For legal proceedings, the police have initially charged Tae with attempted murder of an officer and possession of a firearm. Further drug-related charges will be considered pending the results of the drug test.