A disturbing CCTV clip shared on social media today (July 8) prompted urgent action from local authorities. The footage, recorded in the Saphan Ruam 1 Community, on Anuphas Phuket Karn Rd in Phuket Town, shows a man, seemingly hallucinating from drugs, invading a house and causing significant damage.
The incident was not the first time such frightening disturbances had happened, said posts online. The same behaviour had been repeated multiple times despite previous police interventions, and has led to increasing alarm among local residents.
CCTV footage from about 8:30am today showed one of the men carrying what appeared to be sharp implements in both hands as he walked past local residents’ front doors.
Another CCTV video, recorded about 9:11pm on July 2, showed the man walking past a camera carrying a machete in his right hand.
The man, described as thin and erratic, can be seen in the video posted online today wandering around, shouting and making loud noises. At one point, a sound resembling a gunshot is heard, after which the man picks up a black bag, throws it away in apparent frustration, and walks off.
Local residents today voiced their fears and frustrations, and urged authorities to address the situation more effectively before it results in serious harm. "Please come help. Don’t wait for someone to die first," one resident pleaded.
Responding to the heightened concerns, officers from the Phuket City Police Station took swift action this afternoon.
They apprehended two men ‒ identified as brothers ‘Mr Not’, 30, and ‘Mr Pui, 33 (not their real names).
Both men were exhibiting signs of severe mental instability and causing disturbances within the Sam Saphan Ruam Village 1 and 2 communities, police said.
The brothers were detained and taken to Phuket Town Police Station.
Their mother, ‘Mrs Noi’ (not her real name), 73, later arrived at the station to discuss the situation with the police.
The mother confirmed that both men had a history of mental health issues and had previously received treatment at Suan Saranrom Hospital for psychiatric care in Surat Thani.
Officials are now coordinating with medical professionals to ensure the brothers receive the necessary treatment, aiming to restore peace and safety to the community, police reported.