The situation was brought to light after a local landlady, Pranee Boonsawang, 51, publicly appealed to the media for help.
Ms Pranee, who owns an apartment building in the area said she had been enduring repeated disturbances from her neighbour, identified as Thiranai Chanphong, but her pleas to local police had failed to resolve the issue.
Ms Pranee filed a complaint with Chalong Police in February last year. “The police told me to take the issue to the media myself,” she said. (See story here.)
At around 7:20pm on Wednesday, village headman Ekkapol Kaewliphon and his assistant Nattapol Siangnuea responded to the situation by visiting the area.
They found Mr Thiranai behaving erratically, reportedly talking to himself and occasionally brandishing a knife outside his home.
According to officials, this was not the first such incident involving Mr Thiranai.
Village Chief Mr Ekkapol said police had previously detained Mr Thiranai on four occasions, but his condition had not improved. Concerned for public safety, he escalated the matter to Mueang Phuket District Chief Thiti Bunyasathian.
By 8pm, Mr Thiti, along with Mueang District Chief Aphichat Chanthrawong and personnel from the Mueang District branch of the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor), intervened.
Authorities safely took Mr Thiranai into custody and transferred him to Vachira Phuket Hospital for psychiatric evaluation and treatment.
Officials say the move was necessary to prevent further disruption and ensure the safety of residents.