Tak Province, May 6, 2025 — A chaotic overnight standoff gripped Mae Sot district after a mentally unstable gunman went on a shooting spree, exchanging fire with police for over six hours before being subdued with gunshot wounds early this morning.

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The incident began at 2 AM when the middle-aged suspect, identified as a former member of a local gun club, parked his pickup truck at a petrol station and stepped out armed with a rifle. Witnesses described scenes of panic as he stalked through the streets, firing indiscriminately into the air.

Police attempted to negotiate his surrender, but the situation escalated when he opened fire on officers, striking a patrol car. “We had no choice but to return fire to protect the public,” said Mae Sot Police Chief Col. Witthaya Phetcharat. The gunman then fled toward Mae Sot-Mae Pa Road, barricading himself inside a food shop compound.

#Thailand 🇹🇭: A gunman opened fire near a gas station in Mae Sot, border with #Myanmar. The perpetrator later shot and detained by the Security Forces.

Seemingly the attacker was armed with a #USA-made 🇺🇸 9mm semi-auto CMMG Banshee AR9 —obtained from civilian markets. pic.twitter.com/y33Uo8iP8x

— Military Observer (@MilitaryObs2222) May 6, 2025

After a tense siege, tactical units moved in at 8:35 AM, wounding the suspect in a final exchange of gunfire before taking him into custody. He was rushed to Mae Sot Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No civilians or officers were harmed.

Authorities confirmed the shooter had a documented history of mental illness and prior firearms training. The incident has reignited debates about Thailand’s gun control laws and mental health oversight, particularly for licensed shooters.

Officials React: “While we’re relieved this ended without fatalities, we’re reviewing how a mentally unstable individual retained access to firearms,” said Tak Governor Somchai Kitcharoen. An investigation into the gun club’s membership vetting is underway.

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This marks the third armed incident in Tak province this year involving mentally ill suspects. Rights groups urge stricter psychiatric evaluations for gun owners.

-Thailand News (TN)