In a tragic incident, a police officer lost his life while attempting to pacify a known drug addict in That Phanom district, Nakhon Phanom, on Sunday. The late officer, Pol Lt Issrawut Kopolrat, served as the deputy crime suppression chief at That Phanom station.

 

The unfortunate event unfolded in Ban Choke Amnuay in tambon Ummao, where a 49 year old man, known only as Anudet, was reportedly causing a disturbance. Anudet, known to locals as a methamphetamine addict with a criminal history, was undergoing treatment for his addiction. He was known for displaying erratic behaviour in public due to his long-term drug misuse history.

 

Pol Lt Issrawut was the first officer to arrive at the scene in response to the distress call. He attempted to pacify Anudet, however, the situation escalated when Anudet brandished a knife, stabbing the officer seven times. The officer was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Upon their arrival, the police back-up team apprehended Anudet. Initially charged with murder, Anudet is expected to face additional charges. Anudet’s family revealed that he has been living alone since his divorce and has been grappling with methamphetamine addiction for a prolonged period, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-26

 

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A tragic accident?  Poor training and lack of self defense tools caused the cop his life.  Stun gun, rubber bullets, or how about telling the suspect to show his hands and a proper pat down to see if he has a weapon.  Very sad, I am surprised more cops aren't injured or killed here it only takes one contact with a mental subject to lose your life.

Not an accident .....   he's a police officer,  he should have had someone with him and they should have made the addict lay face down on the ground to hand-cuff him ...  if he resisted they should taser him.  

17 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

A tragic accident?  Poor training and lack of self defense tools caused the cop his life.  Stun gun, rubber bullets, or how about telling the suspect to show his hands and a proper pat down to see if he has a weapon.  Very sad, I am surprised more cops aren't injured or killed here it only takes one contact with a mental subject to lose your life.

 

Here?

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-65963525

 

In the early hours of 25 September 2020 Sgt Matiu Ratana was in charge at Croydon Custody Centre. It would be his last shift. He was shot and killed by a handcuffed prisoner just three months before he had been due to retire.

 

Each of the six chambers of the revolver had a bullet in. He was carrying seven more bullets in a black pouch in his breast pocket.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In a tragic incident, a police officer lost his life while attempting to pacify a known drug addict in That Phanom district, Nakhon Phanom, on Sunday. The late officer, Pol Lt Issrawut Kopolrat, served as the deputy crime suppression chief at That Phanom station.

R.I.P officer... 

He probably thought issuing fines in rapid succession would protect him from the knife.

Thai police typically show great restraint when dealing with mentally deranged individuals, which is one of their most admirable qualities, especially when contrasted with the trigger-happy 'shoot-first-ask-questions-later' mentality of police in the States. The article says the individual had a criminal history and was known for erratic behavior by locals. Chances are that he was known to the responding officer as well, who apparently initially did not see him as a potential threat. A knife attack can occur in the blink of an eye. I don't think it's appropriate to be second guessing the responding officer's response at this early stage. The tragedy is the loss of the officer's life, and that because of this incident, Thai police officers may be more inclined to use lethal force to subdue mentally unstable individuals in the future.

 

So sad and  will anyone ever know if that drug addict started on Cannabis which still has a cloud over it as a potential psychological gateway drug?

          What has Thailand done? watch this space.

From this National Institute of Drug Abuse reputable website    https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana  

comes this:-

Research suggests that between 9 and 30 percent of those who use marijuana may develop some degree of marijuana use disorder.²⁵ People who begin using marijuana before age 18 are four to seven times more likely than adults to develop a marijuana use disorder.²⁶