At Phu Kradueng Police Station, officers intervened to restrain a man in a methamphetamine-induced frenzy. Police Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai Yulee suffered a sudden heart attack and lost consciousness while on duty before dying during transport to the hospital for treatment.
At 11:20 a.m. on 15 September 2026, Phu Kradueng Police Station in Loei Province received reports of a man in a methamphetamine-induced frenzy in front of Ban Nako School, Sri Than Subdistrict. Police patrol unit 20, led by Police Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai Yulee, aged 54, deputy inspector, responded. Upon arrival, they found the suspect, Mr. Suntorn Wongloeng, 24, a local from Phu Kradueng District. While Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai was arresting the suspect, he suffered a heart attack and later died.
On 16 September 2026 at 10:00 a.m., reporters visited the home of Police Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai Yulee in Village 1, Thung Yai, Phu Kradueng Subdistrict, Loei Province. The single-story concrete house was being prepared by family and relatives for his funeral. Police Colonel Natthaya Thongchan, Chief of Phu Kradueng Police Station, visited to offer condolences and support to Mrs. Banyu Yulee, 49, Saenchai’s wife, and pledged full assistance.
Police Colonel Natthaya Thongchan stated that on that day, after receiving the report, Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai and his team went to the scene. They found Mr. Suntorn Wongloeng, 24, exhibiting delusions and violent behavior due to methamphetamine intoxication and attempted to arrest him. During a search, the suspect resisted and refused to allow the officers to search him.
Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai and his team tried to control the suspect, leading to a physical struggle. Because the suspect was large and resisted strongly, Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai suddenly fainted, lost balance, fell, and lost consciousness. Patrol officers and bystanders quickly took him to Nako Health Promoting Hospital, just 300 meters from the scene, for initial treatment.
Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai was conscious and told hospital staff that his heart condition was acting up and that he had not brought his sublingual medication (used during episodes). The hospital staff administered the available medication under his tongue and measured his blood pressure at 230. They contacted Phu Kradueng Hospital to arrange EMS transport and receive first aid advice. He was then transferred to Phu Kradueng Hospital for further treatment.
However, during transport, Sub-Lieutenant Saenchai passed away. His superiors and Phu Kradueng Police Station have provided full support and are reviewing assistance procedures. The suspect has been charged with drug use and was remanded at Loei Provincial Court this morning.
Mrs. Banyu Yulee, 49, Saenchai’s wife, said she learned from police friends that her husband died while being taken to Phu Kradueng Hospital. They have two daughters, aged 27 and 21, both employed and family-oriented. She always reminded her husband to take care of his health and carry his medication whenever he went to work.
However, during the arrest, he did not have his medication with him but left it in the patrol car, which led to his heart condition flaring up and his death. His body has undergone autopsy at Loei Hospital and is expected to return home this afternoon for religious rites. The cremation ceremony will be held on 19 September 2026 at Ban Thung Yai Temple in their village.