Bangkok police officer shot by SWAT team dies in hospital

UPDATE #4

The mentally disturbed police officer who was shot by SWAT officers at his home in the Sai Mai district of Bangkok after a 27-hour standoff passed away from his injuries in hospital yesterday.

After firing more than 50 shots over the course of the siege, Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn Sangboon was shot three times by the SWAT team in the left arm, left thigh and left side of his chest as he jumped from his window holding a knife at 12.12pm.

The injured gunman was taken for urgent surgery at Bhumibol Hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 9.47pm, reported KhaoSod.

The 51 year old officer, born in the northern province of Lamphun, was an inspector for the Special Branch Bureau’s Intelligence Development Centre.

Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn opened fire at around 11am on Tuesday, firing shots through the door onto Soi Jiramakorn. Sporadic gunfire was heard inside the property throughout the day, throughout the night and Wednesday morning.

Police tried several methods to calm down Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn, such as delivering him cigarettes, singing to him, and sending him text messages, to no avail.

During the siege, police fired tear gas into the property several times but the gunman would not surrender.

After police tried to enter the property through the second-floor balcony, Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn opened fire again. One SWAT officer on the street was struck by a bullet in the head but it did not penetrate his helmet.

No one was reported injured during the day-long standoff.

National police chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that property damaged by the gunfire would be provided compensation as soon as possible.

Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn joined the police force under the Narcotics Suppression Bureau as a squad commander, starting as a driver. He studied for a law degree while working.

After passing his exams, he became a deputy inspector at the Narcotics Suppression Division 2 in Khon Kaen province. In 2019, he was transferred to the Education Bureau gaining the position of Chief Inspector.

Before the incident, Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn was absent from work for a few days due to a mental health condition, according to Superintendent of Sai Mai Police Station Pol. Col. Rangsan Sonsing.

A concerned colleague at the Special Branch arranged for an ambulance to pick up Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn on Tuesday and take him for treatment, which is when the gunfire began.

UPDATE #3: SWAT team shoots frenzied Bangkok police officer 3 times as he jumps from window (video)

The frenzied police officer who opened fire in Bangkok yesterday is seriously injured after being shot three times in the left arm, left thigh and left side of his chest by SWAT officers as he jumped out of the window holding a knife at 12.25pm.

After Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn Sangboon fired more than 30 continuous shots at 12:13pm, SWAT officers entered the house and attempted to detain him on the second floor. SWAT officers said the gunman fought back before jumping from the window.

In this video, the frenzied officer is pictured jumping from the window holding a knife. Once the camera spans to the ground, it’s clear from the officer’s bloody shirt that he was shot in the left side of his chest…

ตำรวจเผยแพร่คลิปนาทีบุกจับกุม สารวัตรกานต์ โดยเป็นภาพที่ถ่ายจากโดรนของเจ้าหน้าที่ #ตำรวจคลั่ง #กราดยิง pic.twitter.com/Cc4NlIngov

— ข่าวสด (@KhaosodOnline) March 15, 2023

Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn Sangboon was given CPR at the scene and was taken to Bhumibol Hospital in an ambulance but remains in a critical condition.

UPDATE #2: Frenzied police officer finally detained 24 hours after opening fire in Bangkok

At 12.25pm, SWAT police entered the frenzied police officer‘s house in the Sai Mai district in Bangkok and were able to detain him, more than 24 hours after he opened fire into the street.

Officers entered the house upon hearing more than 30 continuous gunshots from inside the property at 12.13pm.

Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn Sangboon was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

No one was reported injured by the day-long sporadic gunfire.

UPDATE #1: Frenzied police officer firing shots in Bangkok shows no signs of surrender after 22 hours

After 22 hours of failed negotiations, the frenzied police officer who opened fire in the Sai Mai area of Bangkok at 11am yesterday has not surrendered to the police and is still inside his house on Soi Jiramakorn.

At 6.50pm, SWAT officers fired tear gas into 51 year old Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn Sangboon’s house. However, deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukwimol said that the gunman knows how to avoid tear gas so the tactic might not work.

At 2.05am, police reported hearing music coming from Kitikarn’s house. At 2.35am, officers fired tear gas again and again at 3.10am.

Around three or four gunshots were heard from the house at 6.19am, so police fired tear gas again in response.

At 6.27am, SWAT officers climbed to the second-floor balcony and tried to enter the policeman’s house. The gunman fired shots at them in retaliation.

The frenzied officer shot one SWAT officer in the head, but the bullet did not penetrate his helmet.

At 7.35am, SWAT officers sang “Jotmae Jak Naew Na” (จดหมายจากแนวหน้า”) by Yodrak Salakjai to try and calm down the gunman.

Ejan reports that 20 shots were heard from the area at around 8.30am, possibly from the side of the SWAT officers.

Police are using a thermal drone to keep track of the gunman. They believe he is currently asleep.

No one is reported to be injured.

Residents are still advised to steer clear of the area while negotiations continue.

ORIGINAL STORY: Frenzied police officer opens fire in Bangkok

A Royal Thai Police officer started firing gunshots randomly at Soi Jiramakorn in the Sai Mai district of Bangkok at 11am this morning and still has not been arrested as of 5pm. No one is reported to be injured.

Police identified the gunman as 51 year old Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn Sangboon, an inspector with the Special Branch of the RTP.

More than 100 SWAT officers have been deployed to close in on the house where Kitikarn is hiding but he has still not surrendered after a five-hour and counting standoff.

Reports say that no one has been killed or injured by the gunfire. However, residents of Bangkok are advised to steer clear of the area until the gunman is detained. Police have cordoned off the scene within a 1-kilometre radius of the house.

The sound of gunfire has been coming from the house all day with reports saying that over 40 shots have been heard over the course of the day, causing panic among locals.

Allegedly, the gunman shouted to say that anyone who tried to enter the house would be shot.

At one point, Kitikarn poured water onto the police from the second-floor window. Police are speaking to him via a megaphone.

At 4pm, the Chief of Police travelled to the scene to try and assist in getting the situation under control. He said he wants to detain the gunman before dark.

Before the incident, Pol. Lt. Col. Kitikarn was absent from work for a few days due to a mental health condition, according to Superintendent of Sai Mai Police Station Pol. Col. Rangsan Sonsing.

Today, a concerned colleague at the Special Branch arranged for an ambulance to pick up Kitikarn and take him for mental health treatment.

Dissatisfied, Kitikarn started firing shots through the wooden door of the house into the street. Fortunately, no one was hit by any of the bullets.

Police evacuated residents in the immediate area, assisting some elderly residents who have trouble walking.