Officers from the Phuket Provincial Police Investigation Division arrested the suspect, identified only as ‘Natthapong’ (surname withheld), at about 2pm yesterday (July 6).
The arrest was carried out by a team led by Pol Lt Col Sophonnat Nayaw, chief of the Phuket Provincial Police Investigation Division, after officers received information that the suspect was hiding in Phuket.
The arrest followed a complaint filed by the 34-year-old victim, from Kanchanaburi, at Mueang Ranong Police Station.
According to police, the woman told investigators that her former boyfriend threatened her with both a gun and a knife before stealing B5,000 in cash. He then forced her to drive south while holding her against her will.
During the journey, the suspect allegedly assaulted her repeatedly. After they arrived in Ranong, he forced her to burn important personal documents, including identification papers, to prevent her from fleeing, police said.
The woman eventually managed to escape after the suspect handed her the vehicle keys and left. She sought help from staff at a Shell petrol station in Bang Rin, Mueang Ranong District, who contacted police.
She was taken to hospital for treatment while investigators gathered evidence and obtained an arrest warrant.
Police later learned that the suspect had fled Ranong by bus via Chumphon before travelling to Phuket to evade arrest.
The Phuket Provincial Police Investigation Division worked with officers from Mueang Ranong Police Station and the Ranong Provincial Investigation Division to locate and apprehend him.
Police said the suspect resisted arrest and repeatedly reached towards his waistband, raising concerns that he may have been carrying a firearm. Officers also had prior information from the victim that he was known to carry a gun.
Fearing for the safety of officers and nearby members of the public, police quickly subdued the suspect before taking him into custody without further incident.
The suspect was informed of the charges against him and his legal rights before being transferred to Mueang Ranong Police Station.
The charges include extortion, making death threats, assault and unlawful detention. Police said the investigation is continuing.