Car-nage in Bangkok: Thai woman’s gun-toting showdown

A chaotic incident unfolded on Sathon Nuea Road when a 28 year old woman crashed her car into eight vehicles and threatened a tuk tuk driver and tourists with a gun. She claimed to have lost control after being cut off in traffic, leading to her eventual arrest.

Around 1am today, September 26, Phanom Chueathong, along with officers from Thung Mahamek Police Station, arrested Vipanee at the Sathon Nuea and Witthayu intersection. The officers confiscated a 9mm automatic firearm and an empty magazine from her possession.

At approximately 8.30pm yesterday, Sukhsan Kanyasont, a traffic police from the same police station, received a radio alert to intercept a white Toyota Yaris that had collided with several vehicles and fled the scene. The chase began at the Kronos Sathon Building and continued until the Witthayu intersection. The suspect’s car was found on the pavement, having collided with a yellow Toyota taxi.

The driver, described as a woman resembling a tomboy, wearing a red and white striped T-shirt and three-quarter jeans, exhibited erratic behaviour. She brandished a firearm, threatening three foreign tourists seated in a tuk tuk, causing panic and fear among those present. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Sukhsan and three other traffic officers managed to detain the suspect. During the arrest, Vipanee struck officer Sathaporn Phan-ngam, injuring his left cheek with the firearm. A search of her vehicle revealed a sharp knife under the driver’s seat and documents related to the firearm’s transfer, which was seized for investigation.

Vipanee explained that she was a Bolt driver and had left her residence in the Ratchaphruek area to pick up a friend at Hua Lamphong. Near the Kronos Building, a black Honda City cut her off, causing her to panic and crash into the vehicle.

Car crash

Feeling pressured, she drove recklessly, hitting multiple cars until her vehicle was immobilised on the pavement. Believing she was in danger, she exited her car with the firearm to intimidate those in the tuk tuk. The firearm, purchased for 25,000 baht (US$765), was not loaded, as she had not yet registered it in her name.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Kullanan Apinittinan stated that Vipanee’s urine tested negative for drugs, and she had no alcohol in her system. Relatives disclosed that she had taken sedatives before leaving her house and had a history of treatment at Somdet Chaopraya Hospital. Eight vehicles were damaged in the incident.

Vipanee faces charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm, carrying a firearm in public without permission, and reckless driving causing property damage. Further charges may be considered based on the investigation and statements from the injured parties, reported KhaoSod.

The injured traffic officer and the taxi driver were taken to the Police General Hospital for treatment. Additional charges for obstructing a law enforcement officer’s duties might be filed, depending on further medical reports.