Gunman opens fire on police during stop-and-search

2026-01-28 - 06:01

CHIANG MAI — 27 January 2026, Police are hunting a gunman who opened fire on an officer during a stop-and-search in San Kamphaeng district, narrowly missing the officer before fleeing and abandoning his motorcycle. Authorities are pursuing attempted murder charges. The shooting occurred at about 19:00 on an internal village road in Ban Rai Phatthana, Moo 8, Mae Pu Kha subdistrict, San Kamphaeng district. Pol. L/Cpl. Apiwat Mala, 27, a motorcycle patrol officer with San Kamphaeng police, was on routine patrol when he spotted a suspicious man parked on a motorcycle by the roadside, police said. As the officer approached to conduct a check, the suspect drew a handgun of unknown type and calibre and fired immediately. Pol. L/Cpl. Apiwat was able to evade the shots and returned fire once with his service pistol in self-defence. No injuries were reported. The suspect fled on foot into the darkness, leaving the motorcycle at the scene. San Kamphaeng police, along with investigators, later examined the scene and recovered three 9 mm shell casings. The abandoned motorcycle was seized as evidence. Police are seeking the suspect on a charge of attempted murder of an officer on duty. Update: At 11:00 on 28 January 2026, Pol. Col. Suromon Chalermchan, superintendent of San Kamphaeng police, said the incident had been reported up the chain of command. Lt. Gen. Kittaphon Yeesakorn, commander of Provincial Police Region 5, ordered Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Phongwivattanachai, deputy regional commander, to personally oversee the case. Chiang Mai provincial police commander Maj. Gen. Yutthana Kaenchan also assigned Col. Damnoen Kan-ong, deputy provincial commander, to supervise the investigation and expedite an arrest warrant. Investigative teams from Region 5, Chiang Mai provincial police and San Kamphaeng station are continuing an intensive manhunt for the suspect.