Drunk Banglamung Police Sergeant Fires 8 Rounds in Apartment, Claims Self-Defense

PATTAYA, Chonburi: A police sergeant from Banglamung Police Station was detained early Saturday after allegedly emptying an eight-round magazine inside a South Pattaya apartment while intoxicated, claiming he fired in self-defense. No one was injured, but the incident terrified other residents. At 5:36 a.m. on September 19th, 2026, police received a report of gunshots coming from an apartment building in South Pattaya. Responding officers found Police Lieutenant Sontaya Khonsap, 36, a deputy patrol inspector at the Banglamung Police Station, who had allegedly fired eight rounds from his personal firearm. Lt. Khonsap claimed he fired in self-defense, stating that an individual inside the apartment posed a threat to him. However, witnesses and preliminary investigations suggest that the sergeant may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. Other residents of the apartment building were awakened by the gunfire and described feeling terrified. "We were sleeping when we heard loud bangs. We didn't know what was happening. It was very frightening," one resident told The Pattaya News. Lt. Khonsap is currently in custody as police continue their investigation into the incident. Charges related to public intoxication, reckless discharge of a firearm, and potential abuse of power may be filed. The incident has raised concerns about police discipline and public safety in Thailand. Information Source: The Pattaya News