Police Admit That They May Have Shot Hostage Doctor

[Lite Beer]

Police: We may have shot doctor hostage

By The Nation on Sunday.

Police have admitted they may have fired some of the four bullets that hit a doctor taken hostage on Thursday by a double murderer allegedly high on drugs.

Pol Maj Gen Prawud Tawornsiri, the spokesman for National Police Bureau, said deputy chief of metropolitan police Pol Maj Gen Amnuay Nimmanno would head a committee to investigate the incident, in which a policeman and a taxi driver were killed by Thada Inthamas.

Thada, from the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, was later killed by police near Bangkok's Victory Monument, while Dr Pipattra Sailohit was badly wounded after being held hostage by Thada.

Prawud said police would also review procedures on tackling assailants when innocent people are taken hostage. Dr Pipattra, who is recovering at a Bangkok hospital, told reporters she was taken hostage by Thada after trying to help Amnat Poungsungnoen, the taxi driver.

"The gunman then turned to my vehicle and opened the door. He forced my mother out of the car and then hit me twice in the head with his gun while using my car to get away from the chasing police.

"The gunman was probably under the influence of narcotics. When the cops fired at the car, I tried to cover myself by lying down as the gunman pressed my head with his weapon. I think the bullets [that hit me] came from the outside," she said.

Prawud, the chief police spokesman, said the gunman first committed a crime in Nonthaburi before he drove into Bangkok.

"Another problem is that provincial police use a radio frequency different from that of the metropolitan police so some officers might not have had all initial information about the incident. We have to close this gap," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-17

[kurnell]

I think that's a definate

[drdoom6996]

"Another problem is that provincial police use a radio frequency different from that of the metropolitan police so some officers might not have had all initial information about the incident. We have to close this gap," he said.

ya think

And we are complaining about not having 3G for our phones.

[SlyAnimal]

"The gunman was probably under the influence of narcotics. When the cops fired at the car, I tried to cover myself by lying down as the gunman pressed my head with his weapon. I think the bullets [that hit me] came from the outside," she said.

When I read the first article about this, I was thinking that the police may have been perhaps not as responsible as they should have been when they opened fire on the car. But with a gun pressed to her head, if they didn't act then she might have ended up with a bullet in the head instead, so it's probably actually a decent tradeoff to cop 4 bullets in the belly (and survive) instead.

Of course if she'd died, then that would have been a different matter lol.

[slapout]

When its all said and done, the 4 shots that were reported to have hit the hostage will probably match up with police firearms.He committed a crime in another province, different radio frequency, tinted windows, etc. What does this have to do with the topic?

It was reported that the carjacker/killer was shot several times in the head, expert marksmen???? or check for gunpowder traces on the the carjacker.

"may have shot the hostage", I will not hold my breath for conformation and the publicizing of such info. If the gunman was under the influence of drugs, beer, whiskey, or crazy as the mad hatter is no justification for a hostage being hit my multiple shots from the BIB.

[powderpuff]

The hostage was accidentally shot while being rescued. Only in Thailand is this a story.

A few million baht will make her feel better.

[Tatsujin]

"The gunman was probably under the influence of narcotics. When the cops fired at the car, I tried to cover myself by lying down as the gunman pressed my head with his weapon. I think the bullets [that hit me] came from the outside," she said.

When I read the first article about this, I was thinking that the police may have been perhaps not as responsible as they should have been when they opened fire on the car. But with a gun pressed to her head, if they didn't act then she might have ended up with a bullet in the head instead, so it's probably actually a decent tradeoff to cop 4 bullets in the belly (and survive) instead.

Of course if she'd died, then that would have been a different matter lol.

So, if you are taken hostage next time, you don't mind the police shooting THROUGH you to kill the gunman? Are you <deleted>&*ing stupid? What a totally inane statement.

In no sensible country would cops with their own handguns who aren't even trained to use them very well be allowed to even fire in this situation. There would be professionals brought in with snipers etc to deal with it. This is Thailand however and I've been here long enough to know that's unlikely to happen or change.

[animatic]

When its all said and done, the 4 shots that were reported to have hit the hostage will probably match up with police firearms.He committed a crime in another province, different radio frequency, tinted windows, etc. What does this have to do with the topic?

It was reported that the carjacker/killer was shot several times in the head, expert marksmen???? or check for gunpowder traces on the the carjacker.

"may have shot the hostage", I will not hold my breath for conformation and the publicizing of such info. If the gunman was under the influence of drugs, beer, whiskey, or crazy as the mad hatter is no justification for a hostage being hit my multiple shots from the BIB.

Well I suspected bad communications were part of the overall problem with the police not knowing what exactly was going on If their info was relayed by 2nd party via telephone to 3rd party who got on their radio frequency.... well the tale twists as the tale is retold.

At least this seems, so far, less swept under the rug that might have been the case.

Edited April 17, 2011 by animatic

[thequietman]

it was reported that over 30 shots were fired at the vechicle with all tyres shot out. the gunman had over 10 head shots in him.

are you surprised these idiots shot the hostage. there is no such thing as a reasonable response with the cops. its either over the top or nothing at all.

they are obviously not trained in hostage response or any situation for that matter.

i,m glad the lady has survived and i hope she sues their asses.

[pisico]

Two days ago when it was first reported on Thai Visa, there were some "bright minds" praising the 5 bullets to the head of the carjacker criminal as "pretty good shooting by the police".

This was my posting that day:

"I hope I am never a hostage to a criminal. I would hate to be shot in the stomach by the police.

Does this say anything about the training (if any) and/or procedures of the Police in such cases?

Anyone with a sane answer, please, post it for the benefit of all.

Thanks! :jap:"

After watching the video of the policeman being rammed by the commandeered car it was obvious that good intentions need good judgement. Good judgement to a large degree, is the result of adequate and consistent training.

But, if most of the police are in the forse as a result of purchasing the position or political favors, this is sadly the result of such situations.

Expect more of the same, or worse, until there is a 180 degree change in direction of the country that calls itself the Land of Smiles.

[pisico]

Two days ago when it was first reported on Thai Visa, there were some "bright minds" praising the 5 bullets to the head of the carjacker criminal as "pretty good shooting by the police".

This was my posting that day:

"I hope I am never a hostage to a criminal. I would hate to be shot in the stomach by the police.

Does this say anything about the training (if any) and/or procedures of the Police in such cases?

Anyone with a sane answer, please, post it for the benefit of all.

Thanks! :jap:"

After watching the video of the policeman being rammed by the commandeered car it was obvious that good intentions need good judgement. Good judgement to a large degree, is the result of adequate and consistent training.

But, if most of the police are in the force as a result of purchasing the position or political favors, this is sadly the result of such situations.

Expect more of the same, or worse, until there is a 180 degree change in direction of the country that calls itself the Land of Smiles.

editing text

[Oberkommando]

Another problem is the Police are completely incompetent, unfit, and relatively untrained for dealing with actual situations or solving crimes.

[chuang]

they are obviously not trained in hostage response or any situation for that matter.

i,m glad the lady has survived and i hope she sues their asses.

Just like the Manila police...The Hongkong tourists held by a lone gunman...

[jimbeam1]

Police admit they may have fired some of the four bullets that hit the hostage. "Priceless"

They were probably all sitting in the police station prior to the incident, watching Gunfight at the OK Coral.

jb1

[metisdead]

It is perfectly acceptable to report on events and give opinions, it is not acceptable to post in an inflammatory manner.

One post removed.

[featography]

they are obviously not trained in hostage response or any situation for that matter.

i,m glad the lady has survived and i hope she sues their asses.

Just like the Manila police...The Hongkong tourists held by a lone gunman...

I take it no Bkk police dept has a police helicopter?? Most if not all the departments on the US west coast have policies against firing weapons at moving vehicles. Better to follow, with a copter overhead and wait for the perp to lose control of his vehicle, enabling the squad cars to close in on all sides, then drag him through the window, face slamming him to the pavement. If he has a weapon and uses it, THEN standard operating procedure is open fire, empty all guns on him. Taxpayers money saved. No court costs.

[Flatouthruthefog]

<br />

<br />

<br />they are obviously not trained in hostage response or any situation for that matter.<br /><br />i,m glad the lady has survived and i hope she sues their asses.   <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/annoyed.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br />Just like the Manila police...The Hongkong tourists held by a lone gunman...<br />

<br /><br />I take it no Bkk police dept has a police helicopter??<img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Most if not all the departments on the US west coast have policies against firing weapons at moving vehicles. Better to follow, with a copter overhead and wait for the perp to lose control of his vehicle, enabling the squad cars to close in on all sides, then drag him through the window, face slamming him to the pavement. :clap2:If he has a weapon and uses it, THEN standard operating procedure is open fire, empty all guns on him. <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />  Taxpayers money saved. No court costs.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Ah! Presumed guilty until confirmed dead, huh? Another reminder for me to never risk the US again........

[marmot]

I missed this yesterday so this is late.

Perhaps I misunderstand the last comment, if so-sorry:

"confirmed guilty until presumed dead, remind me never to go to the US"

As a retired U.S. Federal law enforcement officer (25 years), I have found that it is VERY easy for armchair quarterbacks to second guess the folks who

were actually on duty at the scene of this crime. This includes supervisors who assume they know everything that was happening, and therefore tell

the on-scene officers how they SHOULD have responded.

If I was at that scene at that time, and I saw a guy ram his bullet punctured car into a police car while waving a gun around, yes, you are correct, I certainly

would have shot the guy to STOP him from hurting someone as that was clearly a distinct possibility. Under those circumstances, if you let the guy go to

inflict more harm on someone else then you, as a police officer, are guilty of negligence and failure to act.

Having spent 3 years in Thailand, and married to an educated (masters degree) Thai who is not shy about sharing her beliefs on the police, I agree that

the training and choosing of competent officers in Thailand is terrible. Nontheless, under the circumstances stated, I feel that immediately stopping the

guy was justified. U.S. officers do NOT shoot to kill someone, we shoot to stop them. Naturally that sometimes means that the person dies, but that is not the intent.

Human nature being what it is, a nut with a gun who has already demonstrated that he's not acting rationally, will often be shot to prevent him from killing others. I have no idea

where you are from, but if the police there are trained to refrain from shooting in nearly any circumstance, nasty folks may get away and it starts all over again.

Most officers in the U.S. are NOT cowboys who always shoot first and ask questions later. Experience and constant training are mandatory for everyone. I would

take a guess that I have nearly one full year of training in my career, and that does not include the mandatory 4 year university degree to enter the field.

By the way, I also was a Federal firearms instructor (as a collateral duty) for 20 years.

As I understand the situation, the hostage was lying on the seat and not visible, and the guy had just driven from another location so the officers there may not have even

been aware there was someone else in the car. Should they allow the guy to stroll off down the sidewalk carrying a gun? What would YOU suggest they do; think fast,

because you have 4 seconds to decide and lives depend on your response. I have been in similar situations, and the only thing that stopped me from shooting someone

was the fact that THEY shot and killed themselves first, or others that immediately surrendered. Every country that I am aware of has horrible situations, and authorities

usually do the best they can. Lack of choosing proper personnel, training, and proper equipment are found in every third world country I have visited (16 so far); this is not new.

The U.S. can be a dangerous place in large cities, and that is part, but not all of the reason I live somewhere else (its also too expensive), but since you feel justified with

making split second law enforcement decisions after the fact, what training and experience can you present?

[webfact]

'Inexperienced' police at bloody shootout

By The Nation

National Police Commissioner General Wichean Potphosree yesterday admitted that policemen behind a botched operation to rescue a doctor from a dangerous carjacker last Thursday were not usually assigned to such jobs.

The operation ended with the carjacker being shot dead, his hostage Dr Pipattra Sailohit sustaining many gunshot wounds, and her Camry sedan riddled with dozens of bullet holes.

Pipattra was held hostage after she got out of her car on a Bangkok road to help a taxi driver who had been shot by the carjacker.

"We are determining damage caused by police. Then, we will provide as much assistance as we can," Wichien said.

Pipattra is now receiving treatment at the Rajavithi Hospital. One bullet has been removed from her stomach. However, more remained in her back and arm.

"I think I will remain hospitalised till at least the end of this month," the injured doctor said. "But if the recovery is not that fast, I will likely have to stay at the hospital till the middle of next month."

Her mother Lakkana said an agent at Bangkok Insurance Company had informed her that the company would provide compensation for the damage to the sedan.

"But I don't know any details yet," she said.

Rights and Liberties Protection Department director-general Suwana Suwanjutha said Pipattra would also be entitled to compensation from the state.

The maximum compensation is likely Bt100,000 in such a case.

-- The Nation 2011-04-18

[FrankJos]

RIP to the fatal victims and buddhas blessing to everyone who had been on the scene of the tragedy i hope all people who are directly involved in that tragedy will be fully compensated for their suffer and lost to be able to release their pain and to be fully to recover so that they are able to forget the bad happen to them without any further effect for their life