A 32-year-old Ukrainian man has been arrested in Buriram after he allegedly displayed what appeared to be a handgun while drinking at a roadside restaurant, then drove away in a BMW.
Police stopped the vehicle in Prakhon Chai municipal area after checkpoints were set up on the evening of 24 August. Officers later found a BB gun in the car and said the driver was over the alcohol limit.
Restaurant report prompts police pursuit
The incident was reported to Prakhon Chai police at about 8pm by Ban Sai subdistrict chief Yai, who said a foreign man had allegedly shown a gun while drinking at a restaurant on the Buriram-Prakhon Chai road.
Yai told police that he and his wife followed the man's BMW, relaying its location to officers as it travelled from the area.
According to police, reports indicated the BMW was heading towards Buriram city before it turned back in the direction of Prakhon Chai district. Checkpoints were then established along the route.
Officers eventually stopped a black BMW 740iL with Bangkok number plates in the Prakhon Chai municipal area.
BB gun found in BMW
The driver was identified as Yevhen Shvednko, 32, a Ukrainian national. Police said his passport showed he had entered Thailand on 25 August 2022 as a student.
A BB gun was found inside the vehicle, police said. A urine test did not detect illegal drugs, while a breath test recorded an alcohol level over the legal limit.
Shvednko was initially charged with drunk driving. Police said they would carry out further background checks and investigate the circumstances of the restaurant report.
Picture courtesy of Khaosod
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26 August 2026
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