Community Army Sergeant Kills Himself with M16 Rifle in Military Quarters

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

A Royal Thai Army sergeant was found dead in his accommodation at the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) headquarters in Bangkok on 19 June, having reportedly taken his own life with an M16 rifle.

 

The deceased has been identified as Sergeant Sarawut aged in his 30s, who was serving as Deputy Squad Commander, 11th Military Circle Infantry Battalion, assigned to duties within ISOC.

 

According to a statement issued by ISOC’s public relations division, the incident occurred at approximately 14:20. Initial investigations suggest the sergeant shot himself in the head with a standard-issue M16A2 rifle inside his duty room.

 

Authorities confirmed that Sgt Sarawut had been on duty on 18 June in the role of assistant guard commander. After his scheduled duties ended on the morning of 19 June, he reportedly remained in the unit’s sleeping quarters to rest, before ultimately using his assigned firearm to take his life.

 

Preliminary checks revealed that he accessed the weapon legally and according to protocol, having been one of only two officers authorised to retrieve firearms from the unit’s secure storage, the other being the Guard Commander. He used the correct passcode to open the weapons cabinet.

 

The motive for the tragic act remains unclear. Early assessments point to possible personal issues, though no specific details have been confirmed. ISOC spokesperson Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti said a full investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances and any contributing factors.

 

Senior military leadership has been informed and has ordered that Sgt Sarawut’s family be given full support in line with army welfare policy. Officials have also expressed their condolences to the bereaved relatives.

 

The death has prompted internal reviews, and ISOC has pledged to provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.

 

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek out help.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2025-06-21

 

 

[Georgealbert]