Officers arrested 37-year-old Thanongsak Jennari at a location near Bang Rong Pier yesterday (Sept 10), said an official report of his arrest.
Thanongsak, registered as living in Tambon Phru Nai, on the lower half of Koh Yao Yai, was wanted under arrest warrant No. 172/2567 issued by Phang Nga Provincial Court on Aug 5, said the report.
Authorities had been tracking Thanongsak’s movements and located him near a restaurant at Bang Rong Pier. He was reportedly attempting to evade arrest by hiding in a nearby mangrove forest when he was caught.
Involved in the arrest were officers from Region 8 Police and Phuket Provincial Police, as well as officers from Phang Nga and Koh Yao Police Station.
According to the police report, the arrest warrant was issued on charges including attempted physical harm, armed home invasion and illegal possession of firearms.
The charges specifically related to: together attempting to harm someone physically or mentally, breaking into someone’s home at night using force or threats with a gun, committing the crime as a group with two or more people, illegally possessing a firearm without permission, and carrying a firearm in public places like cities, villages, or roads without a valid reason.
Thanongsak was allegedly among a group of men who had reportedly been planning an attack against a rival party in the area, said the report.
After his arrest, Thanongsak confessed his identity and acknowledged the charges, the report added.
He was then escorted to Koh Yao Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Police are continuing their investigation and are working to apprehend other individuals involved in the planned assault, the report noted.