Police apologise with 10 sit-ups after cop fires gun outside Bangkok nightclub
All 140 officers at Thong Lo Police Station performed 10 sit-ups today, December 17, as an apology after an officer fired a gun into the sky outside a nightclub on Soi Thong Lo 10 in Bangkok on Saturday, December 14.
Police Sergeant Major Montri Meedate brought embarrassment and disgrace to Thong Lo Police Station last Saturday night. He was caught in a viral video engaging in a heated argument with a nightclub security guard, threatening him with a gun, and subsequently firing a shot into the sky outside the venue.
Montri’s actions stemmed from anger after being denied entry to the nightclub because he caused a disturbance and displayed unruly behaviour while intoxicated.
Montri’s superior, Thong Lo Police Station Superintendent Phansa Amaraphithak came forward to accept responsibility for his subordinate’s misconduct. He reported that Montri is temporarily suspended from government service pending an investigation into his actions.
Phansa held an outdoor meeting with the station’s 140 police officers today. He stressed the importance of the proper use of firearms and the responsible consumption of alcohol. Twelve rules regarding firearm usage were printed and distributed to each officer, along with the disadvantages of alcohol consumption.
As a gesture of apology, Phansa ordered all officers, including himself, to perform 10 sit-ups. Following the exercise, the officers shared a meal to demonstrate their unity and camaraderie.
According to a report by DailyNews, Montri was released on bail on the evening of December 16, with bail set at 150,000 baht.
Montri is now facing four charges including:
- Section 7 of the Act on Firearms, Ammunition, Explosive, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearm: possessing a gun without permission. The punishment will be imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
- Section 8 of the Act on Firearms, Ammunition, Explosive, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearm: carrying a gun in a public place without permission and necessary. The punishment will be imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.
- Section 376 of the Criminal Law: firing a gun without a reason in a public place. The penalty is imprisonment of up to 10 days, a fine of up to 5,000 baht, or both.
- Section 392 of the Criminal Law: causing another person to feel fear or shock by threatening. The penalty is imprisonment of up to one month, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.
ORIGINAL STORY: Bangkok shots: Drunken cop’s nightclub tantrum goes sky-high
A viral video surfaced showing an intoxicated officer from Thong Lo Police Station in Bangkok firing a gun into the sky outside a nightclub after being denied entry by security guards.
Several Facebook news pages shared the video, which shows a man dressed entirely in black firing a gunshot into the sky outside an entertainment venue. The incident occurred in front of a group of security guards at a nightclub on Soi Thong Lo 10 in Bangkok.
The gunman was seen engaging in a heated argument with one of the guards, who stood his ground even as the man pointed the gun at him. The gunman threatened to shoot the guard, who appeared unfazed. The video cuts off as the gunman walks away from the area.
Many news pages called for the police to investigate the incident further, warning that the man’s violent behaviour and possession of a firearm could pose a danger to the public.
Channel 3 interviewed the group of security guards at the nightclub and reported that the incident occurred late at night on Saturday, December 14.
The guard who confronted the drunk suspect was a soldier trained to handle such situations and showed no fear.
The security guards confirmed to the media that the gunman did fire into the sky but assured that no one was injured in the incident. As a result, no formal complaint was filed with the police.
The guards explained that they were unaware of the man’s background but knew he suffered from a mental health illness. They stated that he became intoxicated, caused a disturbance, and rampaged inside the nightclub, prompting the guards to escort him out.
The nightclub subsequently banned the man from re-entering to avoid further complications, which enraged him. He then threatened the guard with a gun, as seen in the video.
The superintendent of Thong Lo Police Station, Phansa Amaraphithak, later confirmed that the gunman was a police officer under his supervision. The officer was identified as Police Sergeant Major Montri Meedate. However, questioning has yet to take place as Montri was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Phansa stated that Montri became angry after being denied entry by the nightclub guards. His blood alcohol level was recorded at 136 milligrams per cent during the incident.
The superintendent issued a public apology, emphasising that the officer’s behaviour was unacceptable. He confirmed that a special committee was already established to investigate the case. Montri was removed from the government service temporarily during the investigation into his action.
