BANGKOK — A Thai police officer accused of fatally shooting his wife at the kindergarten where she worked gave himself up early on September 10, ending a standoff that stretched beyond 18 hours. His son played a key role in convincing him to come out.
Police Sub-Lt Thatsaphong Thongthatch, nicknamed “Muad O,” serves as deputy inspector overseeing crime prevention and suppression at Bang Lamung Police Station. He left his firearm behind inside the house and came out unarmed.
According to Police Col Sarawut Nuchanart, the station’s superintendent, Thatsaphong gave himself up peacefully at roughly 6.20am local time (7.20am in Singapore) after his son made repeated pleas for him to surrender.
The victim — a kindergarten teacher known as “Ple” — was shot on September 9 at the municipal kindergarten in Nong Pla Lai. In response, the municipality has shut down the school for September 10 and 11 as a protective measure for students and staff.
Overnight standoff resolved through son’s intervention
Officers had cordoned off the house shortly after the shooting on the morning of September 9 and held that position overnight, focusing their efforts on negotiation rather than force.
At some point, Thatsaphong reestablished contact with police and agreed to speak once more with his son, Police Sgt Rachata Thongthatch, known as “Folk.” This renewed conversation happened as fatigue and tension mounted among the officers on scene.
Rachata went up to the house at 5.06am on September 10 and called out to his father. Alongside his wife, who is far along in her pregnancy, he spent over 40 minutes pleading with Thatsaphong to lay down his weapon and come out peacefully.