Gun-Toting British “Doctor” Arrested In Parking Dispute

[Rimmer]

Gun-Toting British “Doctor” Arrested In Parking Dispute

PATTAYA:--A 56-year-old British man with a university doctorate degree was arrested for using a gun to scare people. They had been parking in front of his house near Soi Khao Noi fresh market. He was charged with illegally carrying a firearm as a foreigner, which is against the law in Thailand.

PATTAYA – July 21, 2012 [PDN]; an arrest of a British man was announced by Pol. Lt. Col. Supachat Piammanas, vice director of Banglamoong police station; Pol. Lt. Col. Pongrapee Loysai-or, suppression inspector, the head of Nongprue branch; Pol. Maj. Capt. Pornchana Uncharern, vice suppression inspector; along with police forces and police volunteers.

The suspect, Mr. Steve Spooner, 56, from England, lives at 15/223-224 moo 5, Nongprue, Banglamung Chonburi. Police seized the evidence of an automatic 9 mm gun, registration # 10/5200030, serial number KF11964, and a magazine of 8 bullets, along with a PACSAFE brand black bag.

He was arrested near his house in front of Nana Coffee, opposite of the Soi Khao Noi fresh market, moo 5 Nongprue. The police brought him to Banglamoong police station, Nongprue branch. Pol.Lt.Col.Supachat said that police had received a report from the market people that a bald man wearing sun glasses was walking in front of Nana coffee shop, carrying a black bag that appeared to contain a gun.

Full story:http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2012/07/22/gun-toting-british-%E2%80%9Cdoctor%E2%80%9D-arrested-in-parking-dispute/

--PATTAYA DAILY NEWS 2012-07-22

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Boater]

He would get an automatic min of 10 years in if he had pulled that stunt in the uk , wonder he will get in the Thailand

Edited July 22, 2012 by Boater

[Payboy]

He would get an automatic min of 10 years in if he had pulled that stunt in the uk , wonder he will get in the Thailand

A lower bank balance.

[transam]

He would get an automatic min of 10 years in if he had pulled that stunt in the uk , wonder he will get in the Thailand

Doubt it.

[crudski]

Illegal possession of most firearms carries a mandatory term of five years imprisonment in the UK. Possession of certain prohibited firearms, like automatic weapons, can carry up to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

[Ohyesuare]

Those PACSAFE bags are great for locking up your valuables when staying in a hotel

[LeCharivari]

Illegal possession of most firearms carries a mandatory term of five years imprisonment in the UK. Possession of certain prohibited firearms, like automatic weapons, can carry up to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

The ammunition pictured with the pistol he was arrested with is hollow-point (designed to "mushroom" on impact, sometimes incorrectly called "dum-dums"). Its possession in the UK is illegal without the Home Secretary's direct written permission and it is prohibited under Section 5, so 10 years would not be unusual.

[londoedan]

Bit of a dick walking around with a firearm.

What puzzles me is why the headline in the news article refers to his educational qualifications and then puts them in quotes, is the PDN trying to be ironic ?

[JohannaScott]

Surprised at you ThaiVisa!

Quote:-

They called his wife to be a translator to find out what was going on. She told police that her husband had a doctorate degree of engineering and has been living in Thailand for 5 years. His pregnant wife is also a medical doctor.

[cougar52]

The police informed Mr. Steve that foreigners by law are not allowed to own or carry guns in Thailand.

That is misinformation, and wrong. Foreigners CAN own and, can register the gun in Thailand, but can not carry them around. You can own it for your protection in the home or your business.

Edited July 23, 2012 by cougar52

[beano2274]

Surprised at you ThaiVisa!

Quote:-

They called his wife to be a translator to find out what was going on. She told police that her husband had a doctorate degree of engineering and has been living in Thailand for 5 years. His pregnant wife is also a medical doctor.

Why surprised at Thai Visa, it is just copied and pasted most of the time from the newspapers.

Also how come three big coppers announced it, was it such a big crime?

[Yme]

As usual PDN excels in highlighting the unimportant - the suspect and his wife both have degree's. But it's ok, they've ingratiated itself once again by managing to name everyone involved in the first paragraph of the story. PDN - writing at it's worst (not fit to be called journalism).

[chotthee]

Many Thais also carry gun, but I suppose the English one is bigger and more powerful which scare off the tiny Thai one.

[Reasonableman]

Normally, the home address would not be made public. Farang are an exception to the rule? His wife's safety is now gratuitously at risk, given the over-reactions we've seen to other incidents, such as taking balloons onto the BTS Bizarre.

[Reasonableman]

Many Thais also carry gun, but I suppose the English one is bigger and more powerful which scare off the tiny Thai one.

A 9mm with 8 rounds is not a Dirty Harry .44 Magnum. Get a grip.

[laurentbkk]

I just wonder why do we have to know the address of the house of that guy ....does it make any difference if we know where he lives ? I dont remember seeing addresses of Thais when they do misbehave ... Anyway if this guy is outlaw ..then send him to jail ... nothing else to ad.

[KarstenBoAndersen]

The police informed Mr. Steve that foreigners by law are not allowed to own or carry guns in Thailand.

That is misinformation, and wrong. Foreigners CAN own and, can register the gun in Thailand, but can not carry them around. You can own it for your protection in the home or your business.

Yes, but they have to own a business and have a work permit, and also a clear criminal record from thier homecountry.

All gunn licenses is for having the gun at home, if you want to bring it around you will need a special license and in some provinces they not give these at all (like Phuket) !

[thurien]

"He was charged with illegally carrying a firearm as a foreigner"

can a Thai illegally carry a firearm without being charged?

Edited July 23, 2012 by Phil Conners
: Bold font removed - see forum rules, netiquette

[thurien]

I just wonder why do we have to know the address of the house of that guy ...

PDN wants to indicate immediate free parking in front of that house!

[cougar52]

The police informed Mr. Steve that foreigners by law are not allowed to own or carry guns in Thailand.

That is misinformation, and wrong. Foreigners CAN own and, can register the gun in Thailand, but can not carry them around. You can own it for your protection in the home or your business.

Yes, but they have to own a business and have a work permit, and also a clear criminal record from thier homecountry.

All gunn licenses is for having the gun at home, if you want to bring it around you will need a special license and in some provinces they not give these at all (like Phuket) !

So, what are you saying, you are right, The reply that I posted says, ( The police are wrong with what they said, BECAUSE a foreigner can buy and own a gun in Thailand)

So your point of the reply is?????

[Reasonableman]

And now, we move into TV speculation time... perhaps he felt he needed to brandish a weapon because he'd tried the normal legal remedies and they'd proved ineffective.

Or, perhaps he had been threatened by someone and feared for his family's safety.

Nice anyway to give the family's home address so the neighbors can go around and offer their sympathies at his arrest and incarceration.

[LotusBoy]

a bald man wearing sun glasses

I was wondering if they make sunglasses for baldy people, as they must get there baldy bits burnt. Or do they just rub factor wetsuit up there.

Just curious like

[hotandhumid]

I think I might know who this guy is, I was chatting to a bald guy who wears glasses last week, he was sitting outside nana having coffee and said that he owned the dentist next door?? Said he looked after the dogs that are always outside that place. He looked in his 50's too.

[GamLing]

Surprised at you ThaiVisa!

Quote:-

They called his wife to be a translator to find out what was going on. She told police that her husband had a doctorate degree of engineering and has been living in Thailand for 5 years. His pregnant wife is also a medical doctor.

What is the point that you are trying to make?

[PETERTHEEATER]

Illegal possession of most firearms carries a mandatory term of five years imprisonment in the UK. Possession of certain prohibited firearms, like automatic weapons, can carry up to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

The ammunition pictured with the pistol he was arrested with is hollow-point (designed to "mushroom" on impact, sometimes incorrectly called "dum-dums"). Its possession in the UK is illegal without the Home Secretary's direct written permission and it is prohibited under Section 5, so 10 years would not be unusual.

More likely legal semi-wadcutter for target shooting unless he has illegally modified commercial ammunition.

[reggiejac]

You are correct hotandhumid, this is the same guy that has the dentist. He has told me that he's Australian but lived in UK for many years. He has also shown me his house in oz. on Google Earth and told me he used to be a life guard at a beach very near his house. Also i think it's worth a mention that his wife's work is very good and i have yet to find a cheaper dentist.

[londoedan]

I think I might know who this guy is, I was chatting to a bald guy who wears glasses last week, he was sitting outside nana having coffee and said that he owned the dentist next door?? Said he looked after the dogs that are always outside that place. He looked in his 50's too.

Was he 'packing' when you met him ?

[Fishface]

He wasnt waving it around, it was in a bag that the report said 'appeared to have gun'. It took the police to find that it was a gun.

Now if you can own a gun but not carry it then he has not broken the law.

[drdoom6996]

The police informed Mr. Steve that foreigners by law are not allowed to own or carry guns in Thailand.

That is misinformation, and wrong. Foreigners CAN own and, can register the gun in Thailand, but can not carry them around. You can own it for your protection in the home or your business.

Yes, but they have to own a business and have a work permit, and also a clear criminal record from thier homecountry.

All gunn licenses is for having the gun at home, if you want to bring it around you will need a special license and in some provinces they not give these at all (like Phuket) !

So, what are you saying, you are right, The reply that I posted says, ( The police are wrong with what they said, BECAUSE a foreigner can buy and own a gun in Thailand)

So your point of the reply is?????

I think his point is your an idiot. Most farangs don't qualify in any way shape of form. By most I mean the 90 to 95 percentile. And yor post seems to emply that everybody should have a gun and be allowed to intimidate any and all persons he deems . I afraid that the BIB carry guns. Pull your head out.

[Cardiff1963]

He would get an automatic min of 10 years in if he had pulled that stunt in the uk , wonder he will get in the Thailand

no