A Thai woman is suing police in Ratchaburi province for abusing their authority after officers fatally shot her mentally ill father. Police defended their actions, citing the man’s repeated violent behaviour in the community.
On September 24, officers from Mueang Ratchaburi Police Station responded to complaints from residents in Tha Rarb sub-district. Locals reported that 60 year old Suraphon, who suffered from mental illness, was brandishing a knife along a community road, causing fear among residents.
According to police, Suraphon immediately approached them with the knife in his hand. One officer stumbled on a footpath while stepping backwards to avoid the attack and fell to the ground. Suraphon allegedly followed him and attempted to stab him.
At that point, another policeman shot Suraphon in the leg in an attempt to stop the assault. Officers then called a rescue team to transfer him to the hospital. However, he suffered severe blood loss and died en route.
Suraphon’s 25 year old daughter was not at home during the incident. She later visited the hospital to check on her father. She acknowledged that he suffered from a mental condition but insisted he had been receiving treatment and medication.
She maintained that her father had never harmed anyone and had never shown violent tendencies. On the day of the incident, she said, he had only been cutting grass outside their home. She also expressed suspicion about who might have reported him to the police as a danger.
The woman accused the police of using excessive force and declared she would pursue legal action against the officers involved.
An autopsy, reported by Channel 7, revealed that Suraphon had sustained a ruptured artery in his neck after collapsing from the gunshot wound. Significant blood loss from the injury was also cited as a cause of death.
Deputy Commander of Ratchaburi Provincial Police, Siam Insuwanno, told Ban Mueang news agency that officers had received multiple complaints about Suraphon’s violent behaviour in the past.
Siam defended his subordinates, saying they were forced to act after Suraphon attempted to assault them, and that their response was in line with police training. He stressed that the officers had not intended to take Suraphon’s life.
Nevertheless, the deputy commander promised that justice would be ensured for both parties.
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