LOP BURI: The hunt for a reputed drug addict who stole a pistol from a shooting range and shot to death his father, a military man, on Monday ended abruptly in neighbouring Sing Buri province yesterday morning when the 26-year-old was seriously wounded by police.
Police had tracked Surachai Chaiyanant to a resort in In Buri district, where he was hiding, Thai media reported.
When they moved in to arrest him the suspect allegedly resisted and opened fire at them. Police returned fire and Mr Surachai was rushed to a nearby hospital.
According to news reports, the suspect killed his father in Lop Buri then headed to Sing Buri to shoot his mother, who was staying there. Police moved her to a safer area after tracking the suspect there.
Sgt Maj 1st Class Chaiyot Chainayant, 54, was found shot dead at his residence at the Ordnance Depot in Lop Buri's tambon Khao Phra Ngam about 3.30pm on Monday. A 9mm pistol and three spent cartridges were located nearby.
He was believed to have been killed by Mr Surachai, who had allegedly threatened to kill his entire family. This caused his mother, wife and child to flee to a hotel two days ago, Thai media reported yesterday.
Only Sgt Maj 1st Class Chaiyot stayed with his son at the house. Mr Surachai allegedly stole a Glock 17 and 50 bullets from the Por Pibulsongkram shooting range then fled on a motorcycle to his house, pursued by soldiers and police.
After the suspect took refuge on the second floor, authorities asked his father to lure him downstairs to eat a meal laced with sleeping pills.
But when the older man called his son, Mr Surachai reportedly said he had already eaten.
He then allegedly went downstairs, pulled out a pistol and shot his father before again fleeing on his bike.
Pol Maj Gen Ditsapoj Issarangkul Na Ayutthaya, chief of the Lop Buri police, ordered road blocks set up along all possible escape routes yesterday. Teams of investigators were deployed to hunt for the suspect.
They were warned to take extra caution because he was known to be armed.
If Mr Surachai resisted arrest and opened fire, police were told to take decisive action.
