PHUKET –
Phuket police have charged a 60‑year‑old van driver after he surrendered following a widely shared incident in which he brandished a rifle to intimidate an ice delivery driver.
Our previous story:
The confrontation occurred on May 6th in Sri Sunthorn, Thalang District, when the van blocked access to a local ice factory. Witnesses reported that the ice truck driver asked the van to move after waiting seven to eight minutes, sparking a heated argument. The van driver later returned, retrieved a long firearm from his vehicle, and pointed it in a threatening manner, alarming staff and bystanders.
The ice delivery driver told police that the dispute escalated after the van driver claimed he had been insulted with remarks directed at his family. The suspect then followed the truck to the factory and produced the weapon.
Now for the update:
The Thalang Police told the Phuket Express that the suspect, identified only as Somchai, 60, later contacted Thalang Police and surrendered. Officers processed his arrest and examined the firearm. The weapon was confirmed to be a registered CZ .22 rifle.
Authorities have charged Somchai with carrying a firearm in public without reasonable cause. Police stated that the case will proceed under the law.
