Man taken for medical evaluation after confining relatives for hours in Udon Thani

2026-03-17 - 03:33

UDON THANI — 16 March 2026 A 36-year-old man in Udon Thani who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis held his mother and grandmother inside their home for several hours early Sunday before authorities intervened and took him for medical evaluation. Police from Muang Udon Thani Police Station and local administrative officials were called to a house in Ban Lao Na Di, Na Di subdistrict, after the man reportedly prevented his mother, 59, and grandmother, 80, from leaving the home from about 05:00 until noon. Authorities said the man repeatedly claimed that someone was coming to harm his relatives. Officers spent a prolonged period speaking with him before he eventually allowed the two women to leave the house unharmed. When officials attempted to escort him for questioning and medical assessment, he initially resisted and insisted that officers identify themselves before approaching him. Authorities then physically escorted him to a vehicle to take him for a medical examination. Police said the man struggled while being taken to the vehicle, and at one point a bystander attempted to strike him before officers intervened and quickly removed him from the scene. His grandmother said she was shocked by the incident, describing her grandson as hardworking. She said he had worked in Taiwan and returned to Thailand about two years ago while preparing to take up employment in Israel. “I don’t know what happened today,” she said. “Suddenly he became agitated and grabbed both me and his mother, saying someone was coming to harm and kill us, telling us to crouch down and be careful.” She said villagers and the village headman tried to persuade him to release them, but he refused. The two women were held inside the house from early morning until noon. A neighbour said they heard Mr. Wuttichai shouting, “Don’t come near my house,” while appearing agitated from about 05:00 until noon. According to neighbours, Mr. Wuttichai had previously worked in Taiwan and had been preparing to travel to Israel for work, but his plans were delayed by the war there. In the meantime, he had been working as a food delivery rider while waiting for the opportunity to go abroad. Officials said a preliminary drug test conducted at the district office found no narcotics in his system. However, authorities plan to send him to Udon Thani Hospital for a more detailed examination to determine the cause of the episode. Police speak with the man’s grandmother after he was taken for medical evaluation