The incident unfolded at just after 3pm in a third-floor room at the Andaman Apartment complex in Moo 4, opposite the bus terminal on Chao Fa East Rd.
Police Lt Prajak Thahanthai, 56, Deputy Inspector with the Phuket Provincial Police Crime Suppression Division, was fatally wounded when a suspect opened fire on officers during a search of the building. He was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Investigators said the operation began with a sting in the apartment car park, where officers arrested a suspect, Pramet Mathong, and seized two bags containing 400 methamphetamine (ya bah) pills.
Officers then moved to search a room on the third floor, where another man, Chakkrawarin ‘Nae’ Rangbangphan, was detained.
During the search, Somphon ‘Tao’ Kaewbamrung, 24, opened fire with a handgun, hitting Lt Prajak in the chest. Police immediately returned fire in self-defence, killing Somphon at the scene.
Officers recovered a 9mm pistol, a homemade handgun made to fire shotgun shells (’Thai Pradit’), and additional quantities of ya bah. Two other people found in the room were taken in for questioning as the investigation widened.
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum led senior officers to the scene and later confirmed that all procedures surrounding the case ‒ including the return of fire that killed the suspect ‒ will be handled strictly according to the law.
Wichit Police Chief Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang and some 20 patrol officers secured the building while forensic teams gathered evidence.
Apartment owner’s son Chaiwat Sawatwet, 52, told police the suspects had rented the unit less than five days earlier and had refused to provide proper identification.
Pol Maj Gen Sinlert extended condolences to Lt Prajak’s family and confirmed his body will be returned to his home province of Trang for funeral rites.
Police said further arrests are expected as investigations continue into the wider drug network.