CHIANG MAI – Police say the man accused of shooting an officer from San Kamphaeng Police Station has confessed, saying he pulled the trigger because he didn’t want to be arrested and sent back to prison for a third time, since he was carrying both drugs and a firearm.
The suspect was later taken to re-enact the incident before being handed over for prosecution. The main charge includes attempted murder of an officer while on duty.
The case began on January 27, 2026, around 7:00 p.m. Pol. Lance Cpl. Apiwat Mala, 27, a patrol officer at San Kamphaeng Police Station in Chiang Mai, approached a man and a parked motorcycle on a public road in Ban Rai Phatthana (Village 8), Mae Pu Ka Subdistrict, San Kamphaeng District.
Police said that as the officer moved in to check the person and the vehicle, the man pulled a handgun from his pants and fired three shots at the officer. The officer ran for cover, returned fire once in self-defense, and chased the suspect, who escaped.
Investigators later identified the suspect as Wipak Wongwan, 36, from Chiang Mai. Police collected evidence and obtained an arrest warrant from the Chiang Mai Provincial Court for:
- Attempted murder of an officer performing official duties
- Carrying a firearm and ammunition in public without a valid reason
Police also said the suspect had a prior drug-related record.
Suspect Fled Across the Border
On February 9, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., Region 5 police commanders said they were informed by Thai border military units in the Fang and Mae Ai areas that Myanmar authorities had detained the suspect on the Myanmar side.
Police said they had coordinated with Myanmar officials to help locate and arrest him. The suspect was then transferred to Thai military personnel at the Mae Ai and Fang border area, before being sent on to Provincial Police Region 5 for further action.
On February 10, 2026, around 11:00 a.m., police questioned the suspect again at the Region 5 police office. After that, he was sent back to San Kamphaeng Police Station so investigators could conduct a re-enactment at the scene.
Police commanders said the suspect admitted he shot at the officer because he feared another prison term, and because he was carrying drugs and a gun. After the shooting, police said he hid with his girlfriend and stayed at a bungalow in Mae Rim District, then paid someone to help him escape across the border.
Police also mentioned another person linked to the case, known as “Bird,” who remains at large and is wanted under an arrest warrant.
Drugs found during the arrest transfer
Police said that when the suspect was taken into custody, he had a black backpack. Inside, officers found a phone box containing two plastic bags with methamphetamine (yaba) tablets:
- 288 orange tablets marked “MY.”
- 83 red tablets marked “W.Y”
- 5 additional tablets marked “W.Y”
In total, police reported 376 tablets.
The suspect reportedly admitted the drugs belonged to him. Officers then informed him of the charges for possession of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine) without permission, along with his legal rights, before sending him to investigators at San Kamphaeng Police Station to proceed with the case.
Later that day, around 3:30 p.m., the San Kamphaeng Police Station chief and officers escorted the suspect to the area of the shooting for a detailed re-enactment. Police said the suspect again admitted to firing at the officer.
As for the 9 mm handgun, police said the suspect claimed he threw it away while fleeing, and he couldn’t say where it ended up. After the re-enactment, officers took the suspect back into custody at San Kamphaeng Police Station for continued investigation and legal proceedings.
