Phatthalung - A gang brazenly brandished an M16 rifle to threaten Border Police officers and the owner of a karaoke bar before brutally beating him nearly to death after a dispute inside the bar. The gang was upset because the bar was closed and they were not allowed to sit and drink. Meanwhile, one of the recently arrested perpetrators revealed that they had only intended to bring friends to buy services from women at the bar before the situation spiraled out of control.
On 16 Jan 2026, reporters from Phatthalung province reported that Police Lieutenant Colonel Wirat Jeenmueang, Deputy Chief of the Investigation Unit at Phatthalung Provincial Police and head of the Special Operations Unit, along with Police Lieutenant Pakawat Songsom, Deputy Investigation Chief of Phatthalung Provincial Police, led a raid on a hut at No. 249, Village No. 5, Prangmoo Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phatthalung. They arrested Mr. Preecha, also known as Waek Kongyoe, 54, a resident of Praekha Subdistrict, Khuan Khanun District, Phatthalung.
They seized evidence including one 9mm CZ automatic pistol, serial number B074255, with one magazine loaded; thirteen 9mm bullets in the magazine; one black leather holster; twenty .38 caliber bullets in one box; and three 9mm cartridge casings found on the ground in front of the house. All items were handed over to investigators at Mueang Phatthalung Police Station for legal proceedings.
Earlier, at 3:00 a.m. on 14 Jan, Mr. Preecha, or Waek Kongyoe, and six others — including Mr. Jalatorn, 44; Mr. Papakorn, 23; Mr. Jirakorn, 18; Mr. Thanawat, 37; Mr. Chonlatharn, 20; and Mr. Ef — entered a karaoke bar intending to drink. However, the bar was already closed and refused them entry. The group grew upset, and one of them began pushing a waitress.
Then, Mr. Kittisak (surname withheld), 44, a Border Police officer at unit 434 in Phatthalung and the bar owner, approached to inquire about the disturbance. The group grew angry and attacked Mr. Kittisak. One of the assailants left the bar and returned with an M16 rifle, but other customers intervened to stop the attack. Furthermore, one perpetrator took the bar’s CCTV camera before the group fled by vehicle. The patrons then helped take Mr. Kittisak to Phatthalung Hospital. Mr. Kittisak identified Mr. Preecha as one of the assailants, leading to the arrest.
Meanwhile, Mr. Thanawat, one of the recently arrested suspects, claimed he had attended Mr. Preecha’s birthday party and after leaving the first bar, the group planned to continue at the karaoke bar because they wanted to see women. Mr. Preecha reportedly spoke with the female owner about purchasing services, but she said, “The girls are already asleep, but I can call them. Do you want to stay overnight or just for a short time?” Mr. Preecha then asked, “Where are the girls?” The owner replied, “That’s the bar’s secret; I cannot say.”
At that time, Mr. Preecha was intoxicated and raised his voice, prompting the police officer owner to approach and make a threatening gesture with his gun while verbally abusing them. Mr. Thanawat approached closely and was punched by the officer. He then fought back and punched the owner until he fainted. Afterward, they all left the bar. Regarding claims that they used an M16 rifle to threaten the police officer, Mr. Thanawat denied this, saying, “That’s not true; there was only punching.”
At the same time, reporters tried to contact the commanding officer of the police officer involved for comment, but no one has provided information about the incident yet. Updates will be reported as they become available.