Killing spree in Bangkok

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Killing spree in Bangkok
By JESSADA CHANTARARAK
The Nation 2011-04-15

Carjacker murders two, runs over a traffic cop, takes woman hostage before being gunned down by police

It looked like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster when a man from Nakhon Si Thammarat went on a rampage in Bangkok, killing a policeman and a taxi driver, holding a woman hostage and running over another police officer.

Thada Inthamas, 37, who had a history as a drug user, was finally shot dead in the Victory Monument area.

National Police chief General Wichean Potephosree later said that Thada had wreaked havoc after going crazy by abusing ya ba.

Before the car chase and gunfight came to a height in downtown Bangkok, Thada, driving a green Toyota Corona, rammed into the rear of a Toyota Camry that belonged to 63-year-old retired 2nd Lieutenant Wichai Wilairassami in front of the Anan 2 Hospital. He then threw Wichai out of his car at knifepoint and made off with it.

He then stopped at the police booth at the Khattiyanee Intersection on Sukhothai Road, got out of the car and stabbed traffic police officer Senior Sgt-Major Likhasit Pirasri more than 17 times before shooting the officer dead with his own gun. He then sped off.

As he drove against the traffic toward Ayutthaya Intersection, Thada hit a pink taxi in front of his car before hitting another Camry and a bronze-coloured Toyota. He then got out of the car to shoot dead the 34-year-old taxi driver Amnat Poungsungnoen. Luckily, the two passengers, both foreigners, escaped.

Thada then ran across the road, hijacked a Camry that was waiting for the traffic light and held the driver, Dr Pipattra Sailohit, hostage. He allowed the hostage's mother to get out of the car before speeding off toward Victory Monument.

Thada then hit and ran over traffic police officer, Pol Senior Sgt-Major Jiroj Boonthongkham, at the intersection. The policeman survived but ended up with a broken leg.

Police started shooting at the car as it headed toward the Victory Monument roundabout until it came to a stop. Police then dashed over and pulled the hostage out of the back seat. The suspect was reportedly shot dead at 11.30am. The doctor sustained a bullet wound in her stomach, but was declared stable after surgery at Rajvithee Hospital nearby.

After the dust settled, police inspection of the doctor's car revealed that it had 35 bullet holes and that all its tyres had deflated. Police also found 19 spent cartridges on the road and footpath nearby. Thada's body was found slumped on the driver's seat with five bullet wounds in his head, one in his right palm and one in left hand. A pistol was found near him. Police also noticed stitches on both of Thada's wrists that were possibly less than a week old.

Initial investigation showed that Thada worked as a computer repairman in Nakhon Si Thammarat and that the green Toyota Corona he was initially driving belonged to his older sister, Karuna Inthamas, whom he had visited a few days ago in Nonthaburi's Bang Yai district. Karuna said her brother was often stressed out and had a history of abusing ya ba.

Meanwhile, the hostage's 59-year-old mother, Lakkhana Sailohit, said she and her daughter were heading toward Siam Square after making merit at Sukhontharam Temple, when the suspect hijacked their car. She said she was terrified and worried when the police started shooting at her daughter's car. She added that she prayed fervently for her daughter's well-being and safety until doctors declared her condition as stable.

Somsri Chantrachit, kamnan of tambon Nareng in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Nopphitam district, revealed that a week earlier a petrol-station owner had filed a police complaint against Thada for causing property damage worth Bt50,000. Somsri said she had heard that Thada, who came from a well-to-do family in the area, had recently separated from his wife with whom he has had two children.