Surat Thani — A police sergeant from Kanchanadit Police Station ran across the road to chase a suspect armed with a knife but was violently hit by a bus. He was seriously injured and is under close medical supervision. The suspect was ultimately captured.
On 6 May 2026 in Surat Thani, reporters reported that CCTV footage captured the moment Police Sergeant Natthaphop Kueadech, also known as Sergeant Tide, was escorting Natthaphat Anghin, also called M, who was charged with carrying a knife, while preparing to take him to the police booth. The suspect tried to escape, and Sergeant Tide pursued him. As the suspect dashed across the road, a bus traveling in the opposite direction struck Sergeant Tide violently. The suspect managed to flee.
The incident occurred at 18:26 on 5 May 2026 in front of the Super Chip store, Tha Thong Mai branch, located in Tha Thong Mai Subdistrict, Kanchanadit District, Surat Thani Province.
After receiving reports from local residents that a suspect had been stealing water meters, causing losses to several households, officers from Tha Thong Mai Police Service Unit investigated. They identified the suspect and found him sitting at a roadside sausage vendor along the Surat Thani–Nakhon Si Thammarat road outbound side. Upon inspection, Police Sergeant Natthaphop found that Natthaphat was carrying a knife. He was charged with carrying a knife in public and was being escorted to the police vehicle.
However, Natthaphat resisted and ran across the road, with Sergeant Natthaphop and other officers in close pursuit. As they crossed, two buses approached at high speed; the first bus struck Sergeant Natthaphop violently, throwing him into the middle of the road in critical condition and unconscious. The suspect fled into a nearby alley and then into a forested area, crossing to the other side. Police later apprehended him.
When Sergeant Natthaphop was hit, nearby residents witnessed the event and rushed to assist, promptly alerting emergency responders. Initial examination found severe wounds on his forehead and left arm, with a visibly deformed broken right wrist. He was urgently transported to Kanchanadit Hospital and then transferred to Surat Thani Hospital for further treatment.
Initial medical assessment revealed significant internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity, prompting emergency surgery to drain the blood. The forehead skull was fractured, requiring further CT scans for ongoing treatment. His condition remains stable but critical, under close medical supervision.
Regarding the case, investigators initially charged the suspect with carrying a knife in a city, village, or public place without valid reason, and with using Category 1 illegal drugs (methamphetamine). The theft charge is still under thorough investigation for further prosecution.