A 51-year-old man in Thailand was arrested after allegedly firing a handgun inside a public agricultural area in Rayong, reportedly because he became frustrated when his car became stuck in mud and nobody came to help him.
The incident happened on Tuesday morning (August 11) in Na Ta Khwan Subdistrict, Rayong City. Police were alerted at around 10.30am after residents reported hearing what appeared to be a gunshot coming from an agricultural park.
Officers from Rayong City Police Station were sent to investigate the report and found a man, identified as 51-year-old Somjit, also known by the nickname “Jiw”, standing beside a Ford Everest.
Police find man holding handgun
When officers approached, Somjit was reportedly holding a .38-calibre handgun. Police identified themselves and ordered him to surrender the weapon.
He complied without resistance, allowing officers to take possession of the firearm. Police also found 10 rounds of ammunition and brought the man to the station for questioning.
Investigators subsequently searched Somjit’s home in Choeng Noen Subdistrict, Mueang Rayong District, as part of their investigation.
During the search, officers allegedly discovered two additional handguns along with 25 rounds of .38-calibre ammunition. The firearms and ammunition were seized as evidence.
Man says he fired gun out of frustration
During questioning, Somjit reportedly told police that he had gone to the agricultural area early in the morning to inspect a plot of land.
However, his Ford Everest became stuck in muddy ground while he was there. Unable to free the vehicle himself, he contacted friends and acquaintances and asked them to come to his aid.
According to his account, several hours passed without anyone arriving to help him. Frustrated by the situation, he allegedly took out his firearm and fired it as a way of venting his anger.
The gunshot reportedly alarmed nearby villagers, who contacted police and alerted them to the situation.
Police subsequently arrived at the agricultural park and detained Somjit without incident.
Multiple firearm offences alleged
Authorities have accused Somjit of several offences under Thailand’s firearms laws.
The charges reportedly include firing a firearm using ammunition without proper justification in a city, village or populated area, carrying a firearm and ammunition in a city, village or public place without reasonable cause, and unlawful possession of a firearm registered to another person.
Police confiscated all the firearms and ammunition discovered during the operation and brought Somjit to Rayong City Police Station for further legal proceedings.
The case serves as a reminder of the serious legal consequences that can follow the discharge or possession of firearms in public areas, even when the person involved claims to have acted out of frustration rather than an intention to harm anyone.