PATTAYA, Thailand – Police in Banglamung opened fire to stop a suspected drug-linked Honda Civic after the driver tried to flee near a school in Nongprue, with bullets hitting the school wall before officers caught the car more than 10 kilometers away. The incident occurred on October 3 in Soi Wat Tham Samakkhi, near a school and temple in south Pattaya. Two 9mm shell casings were found at the scene, while bullet marks showed that the school wall had been damaged. No injuries were reported.
A local vendor said he was serving customers when he saw a patrol car chasing a white Honda Civic. The car stopped and attempted to reverse, prompting officers to fire several shots at its tyres. The driver then accelerated away, with police continuing the pursuit along Sukhumvit Road towards Sattahip. The chase continued to Thung Klom-Tan Man Road, where the car eventually suffered a punctured tyre and stopped. Police detained the driver and searched the vehicle.
Police said the driver admitted using drugs and told officers he panicked when he saw the police and decided to flee. He said he became even more frightened after officers shot at the tyres and continued driving for more than 10 kilometers before the vehicle could go no further. A search found a CZ 92 pistol chambered in 6.35mm, 307.02 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 2,000 methamphetamine tablets. The driver was taken for a drug test before being handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.
