Chiang Rai — Progress in narcotics police unit 3's raid and search on a drug suspect on Doi Huay Chomphu revealed the attacker opened fire on police and threw a grenade but accidentally detonated it on himself. The man was the father fighting in place of his son and is currently on the run. Police are intensifying the manhunt.
Earlier this morning, 18 Aug 2016, narcotics suppression officers from the Fang Narcotics Suppression Unit 2, Division 3, joined forces with military personnel from Unit 35 and the Pha Muang Task Force's Company CT recon squad. They carried court warrants to arrest Silchai Prangphairngam, wanted for "jointly distributing Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) by possession for sale without authorization, an act for commerce and dissemination among the public causing security risks to the state or public safety," in Village 9, Huay Chomphu Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province. However, occupants wielded a long shotgun, sword, and grenade, forcing officers to withdraw. The grenade then detonated accidentally, fatally injuring the suspect and wounding one police officer with shrapnel, as previously reported.
Forensic police and related agencies recently examined the scene and found the deceased identified as Veerapon Prangphairngam, 45, father of the 19-year-old suspect Silchai Prangphairngam. Veerapon himself was also wanted on similar narcotics charges for jointly distributing Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) by possession for sale without authorization. His face was severely disfigured by the blast, making identification difficult.
At the house, officers found one long shotgun; outside, a long sword; and on the deceased’s waist, a revolver that had not been drawn. The injured officer, Police Sub-Lieutenant Pongsak Klangthaisong, was hit by shrapnel in his left arm and was promptly taken to Fang Hospital, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. His condition is now stable. The operation team informed Police Colonel Kriangsak Tongsiri, Superintendent of Mueang Chiang Rai Police Station, forensic doctors, prosecutors, local authorities, forensic experts, and bomb disposal units to investigate the scene and continue tracking down Silchai Prangphairngam, the remaining fugitive suspect.