Armed men arrested after storming Udon Thani childcare centre

Two young men armed with a knife and a baseball bat were apprehended after storming into a childcare centre, admitting to using drugs and engaging in a dispute over drug debts. They claimed they did not realise they had entered a childcare centre during their chase.

Yesterday, October 3, around midday, a group of teenagers armed with a baseball bat and a knife chased each other, with one party fleeing into Ban Dong Charoen Child Development Centre in Village 11, Kud Sa subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani province. At that time, horrified teachers were helping over 30 children take their midday nap, causing significant alarm among the staff fearing a repeat of the October 6, 2022 daycare centre massacre.

Police Colonel Patthawong Chanphon, head of Udon Thani City Police Station, ordered Deputy Superintendent Banjong Pakot and the investigation team to track down the perpetrators due to the severity of the crime. The police successfully arrested two individuals: 28 year old Thakun from the Kud Sa subdistrict, and 27 year old Thanakorn, from the Mak Khaeng subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani province.

The arrests were made at a residence in the Kud Sa subdistrict, where the police also found the knife and baseball bat used in the attack. The suspects were taken to Na Kha Police Station in Mueang district, Udon Thani province, for interrogation.

Initially, both admitted to using drugs before the incident. The police then pressed charges for drug use and coordinated with the victims to proceed with legal action.

During questioning, the suspects revealed that the conflict stemmed from a dispute over drug debts. Thakun explained that a friend had borrowed a motorcycle from Tor, the person who was chased, promising to repay with drugs. Two days later, Tor came looking for the friend at Thakun’s home, demanding repayment and speaking aggressively, even threatening to harm them.

Debt dispute

A heated argument ensued, leading to a challenge to fight. Yesterday at noon, they coincidentally encountered each other in front of a convenience store. Tor, armed with a sheathed knife, struck one of Thakun’s companions on the arm and stabbed him in the chest.

Fleeing the scene, Thakun returned home to retrieve weapons and pursue Tor. Unable to find him at home, Thakur continued the search, eventually spotting Tor driving into the childcare centre and following him inside, reported KhaoSod.

Thakun admitted they didn’t realise they had entered a childcare centre.

“We were furious and not thinking clearly. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have done this in a childcare centre. I would have waited for him at home instead. I apologise for what happened. I swear I will never cause such trouble again.”