Van driver charged after brandishing rifle in Phuket dispute

Phuket police have charged a 60-year-old van driver after he surrendered over a widely shared confrontation in Thalang in which he brandished a rifle at an ice delivery driver. The incident happened on May 6 in Sri Sunthorn, where the dispute began after a van blocked access to a local ice factory, police said.

Witnesses said the ice truck driver asked the van to move after waiting seven to eight minutes. That exchange led to a heated argument before the van driver later produced the firearm, alarming factory staff and bystanders.

Police say suspect surrendered and rifle was a registered CZ .22

The suspect, identified only as Somchai, 60, later contacted Thalang Police and turned himself in, according to police. Officers then processed his arrest and examined the weapon.

Police said the firearm was a registered CZ .22 rifle. Authorities charged Somchai with carrying a firearm in public without reasonable cause.

The ice delivery driver told police the confrontation worsened after the van driver accused him of making insulting remarks about his family. Police said the suspect then followed the truck to the factory before pointing the long gun in a threatening manner.

Thalang Police told the Phuket Express the case will proceed under the law.

Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/05/09/update-van-driver-charged-after-brandishing-rifle-in-phuket/