Man Detained After 13-Hour Search Under MRT Tracks

An all-night search concluded when Thai authorities detained a man who caused disruption at the Tha Phra MRT station. The suspect was discovered hiding under the tracks after a 13-hour manhunt and was eventually found near a drainage canal.

The incident began at 01.00 on October 27, when officers from Tha Phra Police Station received reports of a man acting erratically, threatening to harm himself by jumping from the elevated platform of the Blue Line’s Tha Phra station on Charan Sanitwong Road. Police, firefighters, and emergency responders promptly arrived, closing off the area and conducting a thorough search.

Despite extensive efforts, the man could not initially be located. At approximately 11.00., maintenance and fire department teams spotted him hiding beneath the tracks. The man, however, used his knowledge of the structure to evade capture, slipping away once again.

Later, a civilian approached police, reporting that a suspicious man had been seen walking along the embankment near a canal. The informant confirmed the man’s identity after being should a CCTV image, prompting authorities to follow the lead. At 14.00, police found him in a drainage canal near Wat Deeduan, close to the Charan 13 station, about 1–2 kilometres from the initial site.

Identified as Mr. Jiraphong, 35, a native of Surin province, the man was reportedly unemployed. Authorities discovered a screwdriver on him and, before questioning him further, provided him with clean water to wash. Local residents noted that Mr. Jiraphong was known to roam the area, often scavenging discarded materials from nearby schools.

Mr. Sastrawut Thongprao, a member of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Committee for Order and Security, stated that residents had previously complained about Mr. Jiraphong’s behavior. Allegedly, he had thrown stones at pedestrians, damaged park property, and caused disturbances, raising concerns for public safety.

Officials are now investigating his mental health status. If he is found to be mentally unwell, he will be sent to Ban Somdej Hospital for treatment. Otherwise, he may be referred to a local social support centre.

Picture from responders.

-- 2024-10-28