Authorities are still hunting for a criminal who shot and killed one police officer and injured another during a drug bust in a border village in Chiang Mai province. A 100,000 baht reward has been put up for his return. The wife of the deceased police officer said that although she is sad, she is proud of her husband for his sacrifice in the fight against drugs.
More than 200 officers spread out in the forest area around the village of Chia Chan, Tambon Muang Na, on the Thai-Myanmar border in Amphoe Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai Province, to search for clues and pursue and arrest Mr. Chai Chakam, a 36-year-old Lahu man who was a drug suspect who shot and killed a police officer while he was trying to arrest him late last night. This resulted in the death of Pol. Lt. Saranyu Singkham, or Sergeant Cho, 33, a police officer at Na Wai Police Station, and Pol. Lt. Col. Jiraphol Wangsaeng, or Wad Noi, 46, who was injured after being shot and had his finger broken.
In the alley where the incident occurred, there were a
lso tire marks from the motorcycle that the two policemen rode to block the escape route after blocking and arresting Mr. Jai, a suspect with an arrest warrant who had returned to sell drugs in the village, until confronting Mr. Jai who ran away and rushed to shoot at him with a shotgun. The bullet hit Sergeant Cho, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, seriously injuring him. Sergeant Noi was shot and his finger was broken, but Sergeant Cho succumbed to his wounds and died at the hospital. The perpetrators took advantage of the darkness and their familiarity with the route to run into the forest at the end of the village and escaped. The officers rushed to intercept them along the border route because this village is only 3 kilometers from the border that is an area of influence of the Wa.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, deputy national police chief who was following the pursuit of the criminals, coordinated with the military to intercept them along the border and warned the villagers to be careful because
the criminals were armed with guns and were considered dangerous. A bounty of 100,000 baht was placed on their heads.
While Ms. Ratchataporn, 32, the wife of Sergeant Cho, traveled to receive her husband’s body at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, she said that although she was saddened by the loss, she was very proud of her husband because he had tried to pass the police exam many times because he loved it and worked hard until he was shot and killed.
By Sergeant Cho, a native of Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai, is the breadwinner of the family. He has to take care of his father who suffers from weak legs and has a 2-year-3-month-old son who currently does not know that his father has passed away. He is still waiting for his father to take him for a ride today as his father promised. The Royal Thai Police will take full care of him according to his rights. If his wife or son wants to become a police officer, he will be hired. If his son graduates with a bachelor’s degree and wishes to become a police officer
, he can be hired as a commissioned officer. As for the body of Police Sergeant Saranyu Singkham, he will be discharged from the hospital this Sunday. The body will be taken to Wat Prasat in Chiang Mai city for religious rites and a one-night bathing and chanting ceremony. After that, the body will be moved to his hometown in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, to await royal cremation
Source: Thai News Agency