Father takes daughter hostage in Bangkok, police officer killed

A father wielding four firearms took his daughter hostage, leading to a dramatic rescue of four family members and a tragic police shooting. The incident occurred yesterday, July 20, at 11.30pm in the D.K. Village, Soi 2, Phraya Monthon Road, Bang Bon District, Bangkok.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Thanyathon Rasamee of Tha Kham Police Station received a report of an armed man taking a child hostage. The perpetrator, later identified as 49 year old Boonma, was armed with four guns.

In the ensuing confrontation, Lieutenant Colonel Kitchon Janyarom and Police Sergeant Major Chaiwat Atsophonwatana attempted to intervene but were met with gunfire. Kitchon was critically injured and succumbed to his wounds at Mali Multispecialty Hospital. Chaiwat sustained injuries from shrapnel.

The incident took place at a three-storey commercial building, where Boonma had barricaded himself. Upon arrival, emergency responders and police units, including Major General Samran Nualma, Major General Nopphasin Phulsawat, and Police Colonel Lertsak Kiamthrap, along with an Arintharach 26 unit and Ruamkatanyu Foundation rescue workers, found chaos.

Suwit, a rescue officer from Bang Bon District, said the scene was harrowing.

“We found the officer lying unconscious in a pool of blood, having been shot multiple times in the chest and left hand. Inside the house, the daughter had been struck in the face with a firearm.”

The daughter revealed that her father possessed four guns: a .38 calibre, a 9mm calibre, an 11mm calibre, and a shotgun, along with ammunition. She also disclosed that Boonma had not taken his medication or received treatment for his mental health issues for about a year.

Suwit added that a month ago, there had been a similar incident where Boonma threatened to use a firearm during an attempt to transport him to a hospital for psychiatric care, though he eventually complied.

Currently, police have cordoned off the area and are negotiating with Boonma using loudspeakers, urging him to surrender. Occasional gunshots can still be heard from inside the building. The public is being kept at a safe distance to avoid any further casualties, reported KhaoSod.

Lt. Col. Kitchon, who was nearing retirement next year, had been on a routine patrol at Wat Buapan when he received the distress call. He immediately rushed to the scene, displaying his dedication to duty even in his final year of service.