Officer O faces serious charges of "intentional homicide" and violations under the Firearms Act. He appears stressed, walking with his head down constantly. The Bang Lamung police chief revealed the motive stemmed from jealousy, confirming the officer never had problems or used violence against coworkers. A disciplinary committee for severe punishment is being prepared.
Updates follow Police Lieutenant Colonel Thadsaphong Thongthatch, known as "Officer O," deputy patrol chief at Bang Lamung Police Station, who shot his wife—an elementary school teacher at a local kindergarten—dead at the school before hiding at home. Police and his police officer son spent nearly 20 hours persuading him. Ultimately, Officer O surrendered this morning, as previously reported.
At 14:00 on 10 September 2026, in the third-floor meeting room of Bang Lamung Police Station, Chonburi Province, Deputy Commander Narongrit Waphansu, Police Chief Sarawut Nuchnat of Bang Lamung Police Station, and investigators jointly interrogated 55-year-old Officer O regarding the case.
Relatives and his son were present throughout the six-hour interrogation. Afterwards, police charged Officer O with "intentional homicide" and firearm-related offenses: 1) carrying a firearm in a city, village, or public place without permission, and 2) firing an explosive firearm without cause in a city, village, or community.
Later, police escorted Officer O from the third floor down to the interrogation room to take his fingerprints. He appeared stressed, walking with his head down, wearing a gray towel over his head. Police will transfer him to Pattaya Provincial Court for his first detention hearing.
Regarding his suspension, police will initially establish a disciplinary investigation committee for serious offenses, following regulations and laws to proceed accordingly.
At 15:15, police transferred Officer O to a vehicle bound for Pattaya Provincial Court. When reporters asked if he wished to speak, he remained silent, showing a stressed expression with his head bowed the entire time.
Police Chief Sarawut Nuchnat of Bang Lamung Police Station stated the mission is complete with no injuries or further loss. The motive, according to the investigation, is jealousy. He declined to disclose deeper details as it concerns family privacy. He confirmed Officer O never had issues or used violence against colleagues. Moving forward, as the superior, he will monitor subordinates for personal and family problems, which might be unknown to supervisors, to prevent recurrence of violence.
At 13:30, Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation in Pattaya was assigned by Bang Lamung Police Station to transport the body of 48-year-old Mrs. Phailin Thongthatch, known as Teacher Ple, for detailed forensic autopsy and bullet trajectory examination at the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Science. The family has yet to decide where to hold the funeral and is still discussing it.
When reporters inquired about Officer O’s past behavior on duty, Police Chief Sarawut Nuchnat confirmed he never had work problems, conflicts with colleagues, nor abnormal temper issues. Throughout his career, he performed his duties normally.