Bang bua thong: Villagers in Buathong Land Village, Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province, have reached their breaking point after repeated incidents involving a mentally ill man who has been throwing bricks at cars and issuing threats, including to a 2-year-old child. The situation escalated to the point where the village headman took matters into his own hands to ensure the community’s safety.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage captured the moment when the man took a brick from his home to smash a car parked on a side street on the evening of May 8th. The vehicle’s owner, Ms. Thong-Amphan, confronted the man, who claimed the car was obstructing his path and expressed irritation at the noise from her crying grandchild. Alarmingly, he also threatened to kill the child if the crying persisted. Concerned for her safety, Ms. Thong-Amphan, with her grandchild, sought refuge with neighbors.
The incident prompted the victim to report the matter to the Bang Bua Thong Police Station and to seek help from the village headman, Mr. Kraisaeng Chumkui. The community had endured numerous episodes of verbal abuse, threats, and property damage at the hands of the man. Despite prior police interventions, the individual was often released due to his mental illness, leaving residents dissatisfied and anxious about their safety.
Ms. Thong-Amphan shared that the man lived alone and his behavior had deteriorated over time, especially after his relatives moved away. His actions have included brandishing bricks and knives, setting fires, and even appearing in public without clothes. The community has been burdened with extinguishing fires and managing his unpredictable behavior.
In response to the growing threat, Mr. Chumkui coordinated with law enforcement, but initial efforts were thwarted by the police’s reluctance to arrest the man citing mental health concerns. Undeterred, Mr. Chumkui and another village headman managed to apprehend him and deliver him to the police station. Mr. Chumkui has vowed to prioritize the community’s safety by maintaining vigilance and exploring protective measures.
The villagers are hopeful that their actions will prompt a more permanent solution to the ongoing safety concerns posed by the man’s erratic behavior.