American held after Bangkok officer slashed in the neck

A 29-year-old American man has been arrested after a police officer was seriously injured in the neck while intervening in an alleged theft at a convenience store in Bangkok's Suea Pa district on 22 August 2026.

Police identified the suspect as Alexander Troy Lopez, a US national. He was detained in less than 30 minutes after the attack and faces initial charges of attempted murder of an officer on duty and an offence relating to robbery.

Officer injured while stopping alleged theft

Police at Plap Phla Chai 2 station were alerted to an alleged theft at a convenience store on Phadung Dao Road. Lieutenant Prasarn Somkhanay, deputy traffic inspector at Phra Ratchawang police station, was patrolling the area by motorcycle when he came across the reported crime.

He was the first officer to intervene after members of the public had alerted authorities and attempted to follow the suspect.

During the intervention, police said the foreign man used a yellow box cutter to slash Lt Prasarn in the neck, as he approached on his motorcycle, causing a deep wound. The suspect then ran towards Suea Pa Plaza.

Members of the public and officers assisted Lt Prasarn before he was taken to Klang Hospital. He remains under treatment but is now in a safe condition, police said.

Suspect found near Suan Mali junction.

Metropolitan Police Division 6, under the direction of Major General Chaikrit Pho-a, brought together detectives, patrol officers and traffic police to trace the escape route.

Investigators from Plap Phla Chai 1 police station questioned people in the area and received information that the suspect had been seen walking towards the Suan Mali junction.

Police searched the surrounding area and found him hiding at a temporary shelter beside the road. Officers from Plap Phla Chai 1 and Chakkrawat police stations took him into custody and seized a yellow box cutter believed to have been used in the attack.

Lopez was taken to Plap Phla Chai 1 police station for questioning. Police said his initial responses were confused and he was not fully cooperative, leading officers to assess that he might be intoxicated. Tourist Police interpreters were called to help communicate with him.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Drug result awaits medical confirmation

A preliminary urine test found methamphetamine in his system, police said. Officers took Lopez to Police General Hospital for a medical examination, blood testing and confirmation by doctors before deciding whether to add drug-related charges.

Police are also checking his background, immigration status and evidence from the scene, including witness accounts and CCTV footage.

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22 August 2026