Bangkok residents tormented by year-long stone attacks

Residents of a neighbourhood in Lat Phrao district, Bangkok, are grappling with an ongoing ordeal as one household has been incessantly pelting stones at neighbouring homes. Despite multiple complaints and attempts at mediation, the situation remains unresolved.

Tanongsak, a resident of Soi 226 in the Prasert-Manukit 27 area, reported that his house has been subjected to daily stone attacks for over a year. Initially, he dismissed the noise as mere debris hitting the roof. However, in April, he discovered a leak in his roof and called in a repairman. Upon inspection, the repairman found numerous stones and some metal nuts on the roof.

“I spoke to my neighbours and found out their houses were also targeted. I then approached the house behind ours in Soi 228, where I noticed a pile of stones similar to those on my roof.”

The father of the alleged perpetrator claimed ignorance, stating that their house had also been hit by stones.

Tanongsak noted that the stone-throwing incidents typically occurred around 5am and 7pm. On May 12, he reported the matter to the Khok Kram Police Station, but the officers were unable to act due to a lack of concrete evidence, such as CCTV footage or eyewitness accounts.

In response, Tanongsak and his neighbours installed CCTV cameras around their homes. Despite initial objections from the alleged perpetrator’s household, the cameras were strategically placed to capture activity in front of their house.

CCTV footage captured the alleged perpetrator coming out to smoke a cigarette last Saturday, August 3. He then picked up a stone from the pile in front of his house and hurled it at Tanongsak’s home at around 7.42pm. This footage provided the most concrete evidence yet of the ongoing harassment.

“My wife and I have lived here for over 20 years with no issues, especially with this particular house which has only been here for less than 10 years.”

Possible mental health problems

The alleged perpetrator is described as a heavyset man, approximately 40 years old, who is often seen loitering around, seemingly scouting for places to throw stones. Neighbours believe that his parents might be unaware of his actions, as they have never cooperated in resolving the issue.

Tanongsak and other neighbours suspect that the man might have psychological problems, citing an incident where he exposed himself to a CCTV camera. The neighbourhood noted frequent issues with this household, including rude language and disruptive behaviour.

“If their son is ill, they should seek treatment for him before the situation escalates further. Everyone has a limit to their patience.”

Ekaphop Luangprasert, an advisor to the Minister of Interior and founder of the Saimai Must Survive Facebook page, stated that he would coordinate with the superintendent of Khok Kram Police Station to expedite the case, reported KhaoSod.

“This afternoon, I will visit the area with the police to negotiate with the household responsible for the stone-throwing. If this behaviour continues, it could result in serious injury or even fatalities.”