The Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 8 and the Nabon district chief negotiated with about 500 drug rehabilitation patients and reached an agreement that anyone wishing to return home may do so, while those who want to continue treatment can stay voluntarily.
At 07:30 on 6 May 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kasemsit Champangthong, Acting Chief of Nabon Police Station, Nakhon Si Thammarat, was informed of a disturbance involving a large group of drug rehabilitation patients at a rehabilitation center in Village No. 3, Kaew Saen Subdistrict, Nabon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. The patients caused chaos and fled the center onto various roads and paths within the village, alarming local residents who feared for their safety. Authorities including Police Colonel Natthawut Thongthip, Deputy Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police, and Mr. Weerapan Sukawan, Nabon district chief, responded promptly.
After receiving the report, Nabon Police Station informed their superiors accordingly. Then, Police Major General Pornchai Khajornklin, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 8 and Acting Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police, ordered reinforcement by Nabon Police units and nearby police stations, coordinating with local administrative officials to control the situation at the drug rehabilitation center. Roadblocks and checkpoints were set up along various village routes.
Subsequently, Police Colonel Natthawut Thongthip, Deputy Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police, along with the provincial investigation team and other police units, joined the operation to manage the situation. They succeeded in apprehending some of the escaped patients, though several others remained at large.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the rehabilitation center housed about 500 male patients, causing overcrowding. It is believed the patients, missing their homes, collectively caused the disturbance and fled the center, moving through village roads in groups intending to return home. Police are continuing to track down those who fled and have contacted their guardians to ensure proper care.
Most recently, Police Major General Pornchai Khajornklin, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 8 and Acting Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police, visited the scene and negotiated with the patients. Recognizing their longing for home, it was agreed that those wishing to return may do so with their guardians' consent and without coercion. Those choosing to continue treatment may remain at the center voluntarily.