Pattaya police detain officer after gunfire at apartment

On 19 September 2026, a police officer in Pattaya allegedly discharged eight rounds from a 9mm handgun inside an apartment, leading to his detention and the questioning of four women present at the scene. The incident occurred at around 05:36 in Soi Yensabai, South Pattaya, Moo 9, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

Upon receiving a report of a gunshot inside a room, police officers led by Pol. Lt. Col. Sontaya Khonsap were alerted and secured the area as the suspect was believed to be armed. They subsequently entered the third-floor room, where they found bullet marks and found no injuries. The suspect was identified as a police sergeant from Bang Lamung Police Station, whose name was withheld.

Four women aged between 18 and 25 were also taken into custody for questioning. The caretaker and a man named Ta reported that the officer appeared to be under the influence of an unidentified substance, shaking and behaving aggressively. They entered the room to calm the situation, but the officer allegedly grabbed a handgun and fired.

The women claimed he threatened to damage property and sexually harassed them, possibly influenced by a substance they called "Pork K." The officer claimed self-defense, stating he believed the people in the room intended to harm him. Authorities are conducting urine tests on all involved and investigating the officer's claim of self-defense.