Wichit Police confirmed that the incident occurred at about 4:20pm yesterday (Dec 16), when two female employees of a private company acting on behalf of a car finance firm attempted to follow up on five overdue instalments for a Honda Jazz sedan.
According to police, Pol Lt Col Kraisorn Pakaree, an investigating officer at Wichit Police Station, was notified after the two employees filed a complaint stating that they had been threatened with what appeared to be a firearm while carrying out their duties.
Initial inquiries found that the women had located the Honda Jazz parked at the Khao Khad viewpoint. They approached the vehicle’s user to discuss the outstanding debt, which police said totalled B33,145 for five missed instalments.
The employees reportedly informed the woman that if the overdue payments could not be settled, the vehicle would need to be returned to the company under the terms of the finance agreement.
Police said the woman refused and became agitated before producing an object resembling a firearm and threatening the two employees. Fearing for their safety, the pair immediately left the area and later reported the incident to police.
Following the complaint, investigators identified the suspect as a 60-year-old woman, whom they named only as ‘Ms Patch’, living in Moo 1, Wichit.
Officers contacted Ms Patch and requested that she surrender. She arrived at the police station with her registered .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver. The permit for the gun was confirmed to have been issued by the Hat Samran District Office in Trang Province.
Ms Patch admitted to police that she had used the firearm during the confrontation.
She was subsequently charged with possession of a firearm registered to another person without permission, and with threatening others with a firearm in a manner likely to cause fear for life, physical safety or property.
During questioning, Ms Patch told police that she acted under stress caused by concerns over the possible seizure of her car. She also claimed to be suffering from a lung-related illness and said her actions were not premeditated.
Police noted that the case remains under investigation and that legal proceedings will continue in accordance with the law.