Man Arrested in Phuket for Pen Gun Threat and Crystal Meth Possession

Photo courtesy of Karon Police via The Phuket News

In a dramatic encounter in Phuket, a man named Kittikorn "Toey" Chanmath was arrested for threatening a taxi driver with a pen gun on March 10 near Mae Somchit Kata Fresh Market. The incident occurred at about 6 pm, prompting swift action from Wichit Police, who intercepted the suspect on Kata Road.

Officers conducted a thorough search of Kittikorn and his white Mazda2, discovering a pen gun loaded with a .22-calibre bullet in his shorts pocket. Further examination revealed a plastic bag containing crystal meth, also known as Ice.

Kittikorn was promptly taken to Karon Police Station. During questioning, a background check revealed a prior drug-related conviction in 2018 in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Testing confirmed the presence of crystal meth in Kittikorn's system.

He now faces several charges, including the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, carrying a firearm in public without permission, and possession of Category 1 narcotics. Notably, the police report did not address the initial threat to the taxi driver, leaving open the possibility of additional charges as the investigation continues.

Authorities are scrutinising the incident amidst rising concerns about the use of illicit firearms and drugs in public. The case highlights ongoing efforts to tackle such issues and ensure public safety in the region, reported The Thaiger.