Drunk Ukrainian man with BB gun speeds off in BMW

A 32-year-old Ukrainian national, Yevhen Shvednko, was apprehended in Buriram following an incident involving alleged intoxication and possession of a firearm. The incident unfolded on August 24th when the Ban Sai subdistrict chief, Yai, reported to police in Prakhon Chai district that a foreign man had been drinking at a roadside restaurant and was displaying what appeared to be a handgun.

The subdistrict chief and his wife followed the suspect's BMW while keeping the police informed of its location. Upon receiving multiple reports that the vehicle was heading towards Buriram city and then turning back towards Prakhon Chai district, police set up checkpoints alongside the route.

Eventually, officers pulled over a black BMW 740iL registered in Bangkok, located in the Prakhon Chai municipal area. Inside the vehicle, they discovered a BB gun. Shvednko's passport, which indicated that he had entered Thailand as a student on August 25th, 2022, confirmed his Ukrainian citizenship. A breathalyzer test revealed an alarming alcohol level of 140 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood, while a urine test did not detect any illegal drugs. Shvednko was initially charged with drunk driving.

The subdistrict chief explained to the police that locals had alerted him about a visibly intoxicated foreign man at a restaurant. Upon arrival, the man allegedly picked up the gun and fled the scene in his car. Police intend to conduct further background checks and investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.