Thai man nabbed for taking drugs and showing gun on livestream

Police yesterday arrested a Thai man at his home in the central province of Chachoengsao after he posted a livestream on Facebook showing him taking drugs and brandishing a gun.

The livestreams of the Thai man, later identified as Pornthep, were reposted by a local news Facebook page, Khaoded Paet Rio. The caption read…

“#ShareToPolice. A Thai man from Mueang Paet Rio (another name for Chachoengsao) livestreamed himself brandishing a gun and using drugs with no regard for the law. The authorities should take action.”

Pornthep was reportedly a motorcycle taxi rider in Chachoengsao province. He shared videos or livestreams of himself almost every day. He usually talked about his job and daily life and his opinions on politics economics, etc.

In the mentioned livestream, Pornthep was seen showing his gun to the viewers. He pointed the gun at the camera and placed it on his chest while pretending to sleep. In another livestream, Pornthep used drugs, reported to be methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, in front of the camera.

Many Thai netizens, particularly those residing in Chachoengsao, shared Khaoded Paet Rio’s report on their social media profiles, leading to his arrest yesterday. Further investigations by Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station into Pornthep’s identity revealed that he was wearing motorcycle taxi jacket number 2 and serving passengers outside Buddhasothorn Hospital.

Following the confirmation of his identity, police apprehended Pornthep at his residence yesterday morning. He confessed to broadcasting the controversial livestreams and guided police to an electric kettle where he had concealed a .38 pistol.

Subsequently, police conducted a drug test on Pornthep and detected Yaba in his system. Pornthep admitted to using the drug, consuming at least five tablets before each livestream.

Pornthep faces two 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 162 of the Narcotics Control Act: using Category 1 drug. The penalty is imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.