The director of Thung Mahamek Police Station led a team to arrest a homeless man who slashed a foreign woman with a cutter knife, causing injuries that required 14 stitches. The suspect confessed that his actions were driven by frustration and a dislike of overweight women.
At 07:00 on 28 June 2026, under the direction of Police Colonel Phanom Chuethong, Chief of Thung Mahamek Police Station, Deputy Superintendent Wichian Tiangphadung, head of investigation, together with Deputy Superintendent Mana Maseng, head of patrol, and officers from the crime suppression and investigation units of Thung Mahamek Police Station,
arrested Mr. Esana, also known as Film, age 30, a homeless man originally from Village 7, Khao Phrangam Subdistrict, Mueang Lopburi District, Lopburi Province. The suspect was caught with a blood-stained cutter knife, measuring nine inches including blade and handle. He was charged with assault causing bodily harm.
The case began at 11:30 on 27 June, when Thung Mahamek police radio received a report from a convenience store manager near the entrance of Silom Soi 5, Silom Subdistrict, Bang Rak District, Bangkok, that a large, overweight homeless man had attacked a foreign woman with a cutter knife, causing injury.
At that time, Police Colonel Phanom Chuethong was patrolling his jurisdiction and ordered the arrest team to bring a baton and stun gun as per police tactics. They proceeded to the scene, using CCTV footage from Silom Road and its connected systems to track the suspect, who fled through a side alley opposite the incident site. The officers located and apprehended the suspect using tactical methods.
Police Colonel Phanom Chuethong said after the arrest that this operation aligned with the policy of Major General Witwat Chinkham, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 5, which emphasizes regular police tactical training to ensure effective, rapid responses to incidents and thorough rehearsal of police tactics.
Investigation revealed that the suspect was often seen sleeping on sidewalks and road medians, frequently moving locations. His large stature intimidated locals from approaching him. His arrest has relieved concerns among neighborhood residents and the victim. Previously, locals who were harassed did not dare report to authorities.
Subsequently, the victim, a 29-year-old Vietnamese woman working in an advertising company in Thailand, who sustained 14 stitches on her left arm, came to Thung Mahamek Police Station after being discharged from Kluaynamthai Hospital. She positively identified the suspect as the attacker, expressed gratitude to the authorities for their swift capture using technology, and called for the suspect to be prosecuted fully. She also expressed relief and urged that justice be served.
The suspect confessed to the assault, stating he disliked overweight women. He was then taken, along with the evidence, to Lieutenant Colonel Krekpol Kangkaew, Deputy Superintendent (Investigation) of Thung Mahamek Police Station, for legal proceedings.