Hostage rescued after toy shop siege in Patttaya

A 31-year-old toy shop employee was rescued after being held at knifepoint by a Thai man inside a shop near a school in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi, on 29 September 2026.

Police said the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Wirachai, also known as Foo, was subdued after officers entered the shop. The employee suffered a minor cut to her hand and was given first aid at the scene.

At 4.35pm, Pol Capt Chanchai Sanguansaksri, an inspector at Nong Prue Police Station, received a report of a distressed man threatening a woman with knife at Felita House and Toy, at 23/28 Soi Nernplub Wan.

Pol Col Nattapon Phongsuksakul, superintendent of Nong Prue Police Station, was informed and dispatched patrol and investigation officers, Bang Lamung district officials and Sawang Boriboon Pattaya rescue volunteers.

Police storm shop after negotiations fail

The incident happened around school finishing time, drawing a large crowd of pupils, parents and local residents. Inside the shop, Wirachai was standing behind the payment counter holding scissors in his left hand and a cutter knife in his right, with the weapons held against the employee's neck.

Officers and district officials moved bystanders away and attempted to negotiate with him by mobile phone. He did not appear willing to release the woman.

Police then used a spare key to unlock the door when the suspect was distracted. Lt Col Suphat Sutsong, an investigation inspector at Nong Prue Police Station, gave the signal for officers to move in.

Wirachai resisted and waved the knife at officers, but was quickly restrained. The hostage was brought out safely, apart from the minor knife wound to her hand.

Suspect says he feared police were pursuing him

Chumphae, 49, a security guard at the school, opposite the shop, said he had earlier seen the suspect walking with an aggressive expression and repeatedly keeping his hand in his pocket. He said the man's behaviour resembled that of someone using drugs.

Concerned for pupils' safety, the guard told him to leave the school area and called groups of students back inside after seeing him walk towards a convenience store. The man later crossed into the toy shop.

Pictures and video courtesy of SiamChon

The employee said she had been sitting in the shop using her phone when the suspect entered looking frightened. She said he asked to hide from police "for just a moment", saying he had done nothing wrong, before grabbing the cutter and scissors and holding them to her neck.

She stated that she managed to called the shop owner and asked them to check the CCTV, before police arrived.

Pol Col Nattapon ordered checks on the suspect's background. Police said drugs were found in his system and that he admitted taking yaba, becoming paranoid and believing police were chasing him, prompting him to hide and take the employee hostage.

He was taken to Nong Prue Police Station to calm down before being handed to investigators for charges and further legal action.

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30 September 2026