BANGKOK, Thailand – Bangkok police arrested a man who had been hurling large concrete blocks at passing cars along the Bang Na-Trat Road. The suspect, 45-year-old Chalad, was apprehended after CCTV footage showed him carrying a plastic bag containing large concrete chunks onto a pedestrian bridge, from which he threw the blocks at vehicles below.
The incident came to light when the owner of a black Volvo filed a report at Bang Na Police Station after a block damaged the windshield of their car near the Bang Na intersection. Police quickly identified the suspect using CCTV footage and issued an arrest warrant.
A tip-off from a concerned citizen led police to Chalad, who was found sleeping outside a store at the Nawamin-Prasert-Manoonkit intersection. He was taken into custody and questioned in the presence of Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasil Poonsawat, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
Chalad confessed to the crime, attributing his actions to a loss of control after drinking a bottle of white liquor and feeling frustrated over his financial situation. He stated that he picked up the concrete blocks from the roadside and had not premeditated the attack. On April 29, around 3 PM, he traveled by songthaew (local minibus) to Bang Na-Trat Soi 46, climbed the pedestrian bridge, and threw two concrete blocks at cars, hitting both targets. Later at around 6 PM, he repeated the act near Mega Bangna shopping mall before fleeing to the Seri Thai area, where he was later arrested.
While Chalad insisted he was not under the influence of drugs at the time, police records revealed a history of 12 prior arrests — 10 for drug offenses and 2 for theft. This incident marks his 13th arrest. He denied copying a recent similar case on Rama 2 Road, claiming he had no access to news or a television and was living as a homeless person. He offered a wai (traditional Thai apology) to the victims.
One victim, 20-year-old Ms. Orsinee, thanked police for their swift action and expressed doubt over the suspect’s claim of lack of intent, citing her dashcam footage which showed the suspect aiming before throwing.
According to Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasil, the case is being treated as a serious criminal offense. The suspect will face attempted murder charges, which could result in several years of imprisonment. He will be brought before the Phra Khanong Criminal Court on Sunday, May 4. (TNA)
