Armed taxi driver at large after injuring policeman and killing two people

[Thaivisa News]

Nonthaburi: – Police have launched the manhunt for an armed taxi driver who fled the scene after shooting his two landlords dead in Bang Yai district.

Taxi driver Anupong Ruangsawat, 29, had an argument with the landlords, drove his taxi to a main road, crashed into a traffic policeman to steal his pistol and returned to kill the victims, police said.

Nonthaburi police chief Maj General Samran Yindee-arom led the police team to investigate the incident.

Based on statements of witnesses and tenants, Anupong moved from Nakhon Sawan to eke out his living as taxi driver.

He rented a room in the three-storey building owned by the husband and wife, Somchai Thaenchantha, 51, and Sangwal Thaenchantha, 49.

He often made noises disturbing the peace in the neighbourhood.

Before he went berserk, Somchai and Sangwal again reminded him not to play guitar.

Following the exchange of sharp words, he got into his taxi and drove out.

Police connected him to the traffic incident about a taxi crashing into the traffic policeman and stealing the gun. The policeman sustained injuries, including broken collarbone.

With the stolen gun, the suspect shot Somchai three times in the head and Sangwal twice also in the head.

Witnesses told police that the suspect had fled toward a nearby school. Police closed off the school and nearby areas and conducted the search for two hours without success.

The suspect’s wife who lives in NakhonSawan said her husband has been under medication for his psychological illness.

[noitom]

The Thai police have to get this guy before he takes more hostages and kills. At this point, he's lost it and has nothing to lose. The most dangerous man in the world is the man with nothing to lose.

[socksy01]

"PM urges all Thais to make Thailand worth visiting" is one title in this issue. Oh the irony.

[mikemac]

"PM urges all Thais to make Thailand worth visiting" is one title in this issue. Oh the irony.

I doubt if this crazed taxi driver was thinking about tourist arrival figures when he lost the plot, he was going to kill his victims one way or another.

And I am sure the PM would love to not hear about these violent incidents which give the country a bad image.

When you think about it, if tourists stopped visiting any country that had violent crime, there would be no tourism. People are going to travel no matter what happens.

I agree with you though, very ironic.

[monkey4u]

Dont complain about someones guitar playing it may bite you

[SupermarineS6B]

Interesting situation, and a very resourceful man. Pissed of by his situation, and who can blame him? Probably living like a rat in a shed, can't play his guitar, and driving a taxi for peanuts. Then pissed off by his land-lords for whatever reason,( And there are some bad ones), then goes out and obtains a weapon, ( Very cleverly done, not the actions of a nutter) then comes back and tops the landlords.......... So far so good, could get away with insanity at this point, (200 baht fine) But if he continues, then it's going to be the usual Police shoot out........ Give yourself up, and plead insanity due to provocation......... I think there's loads more to this one.........

[Pii Kate]

Sadly, people with mental illness in this country do not get help beyond medicine. And, if you don't prescribe the correct medicine, symptoms can be exacerbated. I can't imagine what life is like in his head. That said, it is also clear the police have not been trained to recognize a seriously dangerous man...searching for two hours? In the west the police become dangerous when one of their own is assaulted and the greater majority of the force are committed to finding the perp.

A few months ago the Bangkok Post did a big piece on the great woman who runs a mental hospital near Bangkok. These poor folks were wearing pajamas all of the time. Photographs were posted in the paper. No dignity. Mental illness is treated as a shameful disease. Repress your feelings, smile all of the time and it has to come out at sometime and often sideways.

Sorry for the injured cop.

[mike324]

You would think drivers serving the public would need to go under a basic background check. Many Thai companies are doing it with their employees in Thailand.

I know in this case a psychological order won't appear on his record, but at least if he has a criminal one it may help if companies not hire them.

[Pattaya28]

Couldn't adapt to not being able to do what he wants when he wants.

[grumpyoldman]

Looks like someone went off their meds..............

[Local Drunk]

Wonder how many rounds he has left in that pistol he stole? He should save at least one for himself.

[bangon04]

You would think drivers serving the public would need to go under a basic background check. Many Thai companies are doing it with their employees in Thailand.

I know in this case a psychological order won't appear on his record, but at least if he has a criminal one it may help if companies not hire them.

Yes, rather like a German airline, where a disturbed young man is given to keys to a jet airliner with 150 people on board...

[chainarong]

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Sadly, people with mental illness in this country do not get help beyond medicine. And, if you don't prescribe the correct medicine, symptoms can be exacerbated. I can't imagine what life is like in his head. That said, it is also clear the police have not been trained to recognize a seriously dangerous man...searching for two hours? In the west the police become dangerous when one of their own is assaulted and the greater majority of the force are committed to finding the perp.

A few months ago the Bangkok Post did a big piece on the great woman who runs a mental hospital near Bangkok. These poor folks were wearing pajamas all of the time. Photographs were posted in the paper. No dignity. Mental illness is treated as a shameful disease. Repress your feelings, smile all of the time and it has to come out at sometime and often sideways.

Sorry for the injured cop.

I think the wheel is turning in the right direction ever so slowly just now in western countries, so Thai would be along way behind on this issue , your assessment is correct, well done

[kevin2852]

I think that wherever you go and whatever age you are, in our stressful society, many people are walking along the razors edge between coping and falling apart and sometimes only a microscopic push is needed to throw them off the side.

I wish that there was a way of predicting when and how they will fall, but the only one that seems to be used is hindsight after the fact. Feel pity for the cop, pray for the victims and just hope that it will not be you who tips someone's balance in the future. As to the perpetrator, he too is a victim, but he really doesn't matter since he has abrogated his rights. All the penalties in the world and all the education in the world will not stop someone who has lost it from committing completely unpredictable motiveless crime. How do you tell who that might be ? Perhaps, this situation might even become far more common in the future as living becomes harder, again, perhaps then, only hindsight will give us insights.

[deecee10]

Dont complain about someones guitar playing it may bite you

Yep.

[gemguy]

Hmmmmm....the land lords from hell caused him so much stress he went on a violent rampage.

Maybe?

Cheers

[Local Drunk]

Hmmmmm....the land lords from hell caused him so much stress he went on a violent rampage.

Maybe?

Cheers

The man was shot in the head 3 times and the woman twice in the head with a stolen pistol that he obtained by means of crashing his taxi into a police bike and stealing his weapon and sending him, the cop to the hospital.... I hope you aren't the sort that excuses murder because someone didn't like his guitar playing.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Local Drunk

[off road pat]

Couldn't adapt to not being able to do what he wants when he wants.

You are wrong on this one, it is quiet the contrary,

He adapted to the situation and got a gun strait away in a smart way and took care of his business....

Now,...the legality , justice or humanity is this is a whole other question....?!?!?!

We don't know who was right or wrong in the argument he had , but he took care of his side of the argument in a extremely violent way....!

Edited April 18, 2015 by off road pat

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I didn't think it was so difficult to get a gun in Thailand -- that it requires running down a policeman and stealing his gun.

Normally, most Thais seem to have them or find them on their own without too much trouble -- at least, whenever they need one.

[Beng]

Another loss of face incident.

[cookee68]

Plenty of these people in Thailand