Van driver surrenders after allegedly threatening workers with rifle
The incident occurred in Srisoonthorn at about 5:15am yesterday (May 6) after an argument over a blocked roadway escalated outside an ice factory.
A 60-year-old van driver surrendered to Thalang Police on May 6 after allegedly threatening an ice delivery driver, workers and bystanders with a rifle in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, police said. The confrontation erupted at about 5:15am outside an ice factory after an argument over a blocked roadway.
Reports said the van had been parked across the factory entrance for about seven to eight minutes, stopping ice delivery trucks from entering to collect scheduled loads. The ice truck driver said he asked the van driver to move, and the exchange quickly turned heated.
Police seize legally registered CZ .22 rifle
Witnesses said the van driver later followed the ice truck to the factory, briefly spoke with workers outside, then returned to his vehicle and retrieved a rifle. He allegedly used it to threaten the driver as well as employees and bystanders nearby.
Videos and photos of the confrontation later spread widely online. Police identified the suspect as Somchai Sirimongkol, 60.
Officers led by Pol Lt Col Thapthai Leelanont and Pol Lt Col Suchart Luecha questioned Somchai after he contacted police and turned himself in that evening. Investigators also examined the firearm.
Police confirmed the weapon was a legally registered CZ .22 calibre rifle. Somchai told investigators he lost his temper after being insulted with derogatory remarks about his parents during the roadside dispute.
Police seized the rifle and the firearm licence as evidence at Thalang Police Station. Somchai has been charged with carrying a firearm in a city, village or public place without reasonable cause.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/van-driver-surrenders-after-road-rage-rifle-threat-100144.php
