Thai military officer’s road rage prompts armed forces investigation

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A road rage incident involving armed military personnel has prompted an investigation by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters. The episode, captured on video, featured a uniformed military man, armed with a pistol, confronting a pickup truck driver at a toll plaza over his driving behaviour.

 

The incident came to light when the truck driver filmed the confrontation on his mobile phone and later posted it on Facebook. The video, dated March 15, depicted the military personnel approaching the motorist, pistol in case, before returning to his vehicle. The truck driver, in turn, reminded the military man of his government position and hinted at a future encounter.

 

The RTAF headquarters has taken the matter seriously. Spokesperson Lieutenant General Theerapong Patamasing na Ayutthaya confirmed today that the man seen wielding the pistol in the video was indeed a member of their staff.

Upon learning of the incident, General Songwit Noonpakdi, chief of the defence forces, swiftly ordered the detention of the involved military man. An investigation has been launched into the incident, including the legality of the firearm possession and its display in public, reported Bangkok Post.

Lt. Gen. Theerapong assured that the probe would be conducted thoroughly and speedily, promising a fair investigation. He also mentioned that the outcome of the investigation would be reported back to the chief of the defence forces within 48 hours.

 

In related news, an angry Thai hitchhiker refused to apologise after scaring a Thai woman and smashing her car with a motorcycle helmet on an expressway in Bangkok on March 9, saying the victim was unhelpful by refusing to give him a ride.

 

The victim, Panhathai Buranaprasoetkun, recounted the incident and shared dashcam footage on Facebook to warn other women travelling alone. Panhathai said the incident happened at around 1.30pm on March 3 near the entrance to an expressway on Rama III Road in Bangkok.

 

 

by Mitch Connor 

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-18

 

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[Artisi]

Welcome to peaceful Thailand, the land of smiles, 55555555 

[Rampant Rabbit]

I like the way the military block the road using the outside lane whilst dawdling  along forcing everyone to undertake them when theres a  convoy of 4-5 vehicles or  the Police escorting this weeks  highest  bidder.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, Artisi said:

Welcome to peaceful Thailand, the land of smiles, 55555555 

Tempers as hot as the climate and armed... not a good combo in Thailand.

[spidermike007]

There should be an investigation all right, but the investigation should be of the Armed Forces, not by the Armed Forces. These guys are likely corrupt beyond imagination, the budgets that they handle are enormous, and the service that they provided the nation is of an extremely minimal nature.

 

if Thailand is going to move forward in the future, it's going to have to curtail the power of the armed forces, especially the extremely toxic and nearly useless army. 

[dinsdale]

Likely outcome. The person who posted the video will be charged under the computer crimes act for showing Thailand in a negative light and the officer will get off scott free with this being rapidly swept under the carpet.

[fondue zoo]

When you pay for your position you expect a certain something something.

[xeniv23]

14 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Likely outcome. The person who posted the video will be charged under the computer crimes act for showing Thailand in a negative light and the officer will get off scott free with this being rapidly swept under the carpet.

The officer will be promoted and given a medal for valor and another set of wings for his uniform.  

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Tempers as hot as the climate and armed... not a good combo in Thailand.

One of the first things I was told by my ( now) wife when arriving in LOS was when driving, don't blow your horn, don't gesture when somebody annoys you, especially when driving - short fuses and possibly armed. 

[Rampant Rabbit]

Id  have  got the bugger in a headlock, mainly to wind up Thai netizens

[zhounan]

So, the Army investigates the Army. 

[dinsdale]

4 minutes ago, zhounan said:

So, the Army investigates the Army. 

Always the way. Same with corruption. The corrupt investigate the corrupt.

[george]

Video update:

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

I'm confused. The reports state that......military personnel (sic) approached with a pistol in case....Presumably this means a pistol in a holster. 🤔

[Deerculler]

4 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

I'm confused. The reports state that......military personnel (sic) approached with a pistol in case....Presumably this means a pistol in a holster. 🤔

Not a holster.

In a case.

Look.

[PETERTHEEATER]

4 hours ago, Deerculler said:

Not a holster.

In a case.

Look.

What am I looking for? The YouTube video doesn't show much. If the pistol was concealed in a case how was it seen let alone cause consternation..