Former boxer’s wife charged after Bangkok police standoff

A former boxer’s wife faces multiple charges after a dramatic standoff and police chase in Bangkok. The search for her husband continues.

Bang Sue police escorted 42 year old Potjanee Boonlong to the Criminal Court today, October 6, seeking a 12-day detention approval. Charged with illegal possession of a gun, carrying it without permission, carrying it in public without a valid reason, illegal detention, and possession of illicit drugs, Potjanee’s legal troubles arise from a series of violent events.

Potjanee is married to Santi Jae-arlee, a 39 year old former boxer who broke into a house on Inthamara Soi 29 in Phaya Thai district on October 3 night, evading arrest for theft. When police surrounded the house, where a woman and her two sons were inside, Santi opened fire but managed to escape. The mother had already fled, and the two brothers were safely rescued by the police.

Following the incident, Potjanee went to a deserted building near the house her husband had invaded. Learning about her husband’s desperate situation, she threatened to harm herself, prompting a tense two-hour negotiation with the police.

Eventually, she fled the building and held a police officer at gunpoint, forcing him to drive towards Wang Noi district in Ayutthaya. She surrendered to the police the following morning.

Potjanee apologised for her actions before being taken to court.

Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major General Noppasil Phoonsawat, revealed that Potjanee admitted to taking drugs the day before travelling to Bangkok to see her husband. Her stress levels spiked upon learning about Santi’s flight from the law.

During a media briefing, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasil displayed a photo of Santi and provided details about the ongoing manhunt. Santi’s break-in and subsequent actions have made him a high-priority target for the police, said Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasil.

“The woman admitted to having taken drugs the day before travelling to Bangkok to see her husband. She became stressed after learning that her husband was fleeing arrest.”

Two police teams are actively searching for Santi, whose actions have not only endangered his freedom but also brought severe consequences for his wife, reported Bangkok Post.

The police remain focused on apprehending Santi.