CHONBURI — 19 September 2026, A police officer allegedly fired eight rounds from a 9mm handgun inside an apartment in Pattaya early Saturday morning, prompting police to detain him and four women at the scene for questioning and drug testing.
The incident was reported at 05:36 on 19 September at an apartment in Soi Yensabai, South Pattaya, Moo 9, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.
Pol. Lt. Col. Sontaya Khonsap, deputy inspector for crime prevention and suppression at Pattaya City Police Station, led officers to the scene after receiving a report that a person had fired a gun inside a room.
Police cordoned off the area because the suspect was believed to be armed. Officers then went to the third-floor room, where they found several bullet marks in the walls and ceiling.
No injuries were reported.
The suspect was identified as a police sergeant, whose name was withheld, from Bang Lamung Police Station. Officers detained him and seized a 9mm handgun.
Four women aged between approximately 18 and 25 were also taken in for questioning.
According to the apartment caretaker and a man identified as Ta, who helped intervene, they were alerted by people inside the room that the officer appeared to be under the influence of an unidentified substance.
He was reportedly shaking, behaving aggressively and threatening to damage property inside the room.
When they entered the room to try to calm the situation, the officer allegedly grabbed a handgun from underneath a pillow and fired eight rounds.
Those inside the room fled and contacted police.
One of the women told officers that the officer was in a relationship with another woman known as Bam, who was also in the room. She said he had initially visited the room before leaving to obtain what she described as “Pork K” before returning in an apparently intoxicated state.
The woman alleged that he then attempted to sexually harass the women and assaulted Bam. Fearing for their safety, they left the room and asked the caretaker for help.
When the caretaker and others returned, the officer allegedly pulled out the handgun from underneath a pillow and fired several shots, causing everyone to flee.
The woman said she believed the incident began after the officer became angry when they tried to intervene and may also have been affected by what she described as “Pork K” intoxication.
The four women also told police that people in the room had been using drugs, including substances they described as ketamine and “Pork K.” They reportedly admitted to using drugs.
The officer, however, allegedly told authorities that he fired the weapon in self-defence because people had entered the room and he mistakenly believed they intended to harm him.
Dada, 32, the caretaker’s younger sister, said four women had initially rented the room. One of them later went downstairs to bring the police officer upstairs.
She followed because she was concerned that the disturbance could affect foreign guests staying on the upper floors.
Dada said she saw the officer shaking and appearing agitated while allegedly attempting to damage property inside the room. She described him as appearing to be in a state of frenzy and said he had a firearm.
She went downstairs and informed her brother, who went upstairs to check on the situation. The officer allegedly fired several rounds after they arrived.
Pol. Lt. Col. Sontaya reported the incident to Pattaya City Police Station chief Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu and coordinated with investigators and officers from the Chonburi Provincial Forensic Science Division to examine the scene and firearm.
Police also found an electronic cigarette inside the room. Officers said it had not yet been determined whether it contained ketamine or another controlled substance.
Police will conduct urine tests on everyone involved. The four women have reportedly admitted to using drugs, while the officer’s test results remain pending.
Police said that if the officer is found to have illegal drugs in his system, he will face disciplinary and legal proceedings.
Authorities will also investigate his claim of self-defence in connection with the shooting.
Police said further details would be released once the investigation progresses.