The Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization chief has announced a 50,000 baht reward for information on an armed suspect who fled arrest in Lat Lum Kaeo. He stressed that if the suspect wishes to surrender, his safety will be assured. The suspect's mother opened up about her son's accumulated stress and personal problems.
The case involves Lat Lum Kaeo Police launching a manhunt for Mr. Nopparat, also known as L, who shot a rescue worker on Motorway 7 in Chonburi Province and took his father-in-law hostage before fleeing back to his hometown in Lat Lum Kaeo, Pathum Thani Province. Authorities say the motive stemmed from a dispute with his wife, a family conflict, and confirm there is no report of threats to harm children at schools as previously reported.
At 08:00 on 18 Feb 2026, Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thupkrajang, chief of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization (nicknamed Big Jazz), accompanied by Mr. Chaiwat Intaralert, chairman of the Pathum Thani PAO council, Mr. Suriya Piromprom, chief of Lat Lum Kaeo Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and Mr. Sakda Kongsamrit, chief of Ra Haeng Subdistrict Administrative Organization, visited the home of Nopparat’s parents. They offered support to the family and coordinated with Lat Lum Kaeo police investigators to persuade Nopparat to surrender promptly, aiming to reduce local tension and prevent potential losses as the suspect is armed.
Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thupkrajang said the public is alarmed because the wanted suspect is from Pathum Thani. News of the case has caused widespread concern, especially in Lat Lum Kaeo, where many parents have inquired anxiously, fearing their children might be harmed at school as in the recent Hat Yai incident.
Today, he and local leaders visited the suspect’s parents to explain the situation. They are prepared to guarantee the suspect’s safety if he contacts them to surrender. "Please rest assured that if he reaches out, we—the suspect’s parents and I—will accompany him to surrender safely, protecting both him and the public from panic," he said.
Regarding the police procedures, he said they will proceed as required since the suspect is armed. Police pursuing him have been warned to exercise caution. The surrender process depends on coordination through the suspect’s parents, who will contact him. The chief reaffirmed that safety will be guaranteed.
However, the arrest efforts will continue simultaneously. He will coordinate with police to pursue the suspect to the end. He has initially offered a 50,000 baht reward for tips leading to the suspect’s capture. He vowed not to allow a repeat of the Hat Yai incident in Pathum Thani. Regarding reports that the suspect threatened children with a gun, he said he is unaware of the source and the suspect’s parents deny this. He urged the public not to panic but acknowledged it is good to remain vigilant and take preventive measures before any incident occurs.
The suspect’s 66-year-old mother revealed the root of the conflict, saying her son has changed significantly due to financial problems and drug addiction. He has exhibited behavior like stealing money from his parents. The family often argues daily about money. She works as a gardener and keeps money in bundles of 100,000 baht near her pillow, but large sums have frequently gone missing.
Some bundles of 100,000 baht were secretly taken out in smaller amounts of 10,000 to 20,000 baht at a time. When the mother asked if L had taken her money, he firmly denied it. She asked his wife as well, who denied it. Only after the mother threatened to take fingerprints for verification did he admit to taking the money. It was not only cash; her husband’s money was also stolen in amounts of 170,000 to 200,000 baht. Even bank funds were secretly transferred out without her knowledge.
She does not understand how or when the transfers happened but her son always ordered her to keep quiet. Today she plans to request bank statements as evidence of all transfers. He admitted to her,"Mother, I admit that I use drugs."He claimed he used drugs to stay up late and watch what his wife was doing because he suspected she gambled and was unfaithful. His paranoia about infidelity combined with drug use caused him to become upset and regularly abuse his wife.He was suspicious she was chattingwith other men. When under the influence of drugs and overwhelmed by jealousy, he would beat his wife frequently. Despite his mother’s attempts to intervene, he would not listen. The mother believes that the incident in Chonburi was triggered by his accumulated anger over money issues, his wife, and drug effects, which caused him to lose control.