A Chinese national was arrested early Friday morning after carrying a firearm into a convenience store in a popular seaside resort town in Chon Buri province, leading to a two-hour standoff with police.
The incident occurred around 12:15am at a store near the entrance of Soi Theppasit 8 in tambon Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district.
Police investigators and tourist officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving a report of an armed foreign man inside the premises, according to Pol Lt Col Siriwat Khratchamas, deputy chief of Pattaya police station.
Upon arrival, officers found a large crowd of vendors and bystanders gathered outside. Authorities quickly evacuated the area and established a secure perimeter around the store.
After more than two hours of tense negotiations with the help of a translator, the suspect, identified as Zhang Shuai, 35, a Chinese citizen originally from Korea, surrendered peacefully. He exited through the rear of the store with his hands raised.
Police recovered a modified Glock 19 handgun capable of firing .380 mm rounds, which Zhang had allegedly brought into the store.
According to staff, Zhang entered the shop in a distressed state, claiming he was being followed by other Chinese nationals intent on harming him.
Witnesses reported seeing another Chinese man trailing closely behind him. As soon as employees realised Zhang was armed, they fled the premises and contacted police.
Pol Col Anake Srathongyu, chief of Pattaya police, confirmed that Zhang was taken into custody for further questioning.
Investigators are now looking into possible links to transnational call centre scam syndicates. Authorities noted that the case bears resemblance to a recent incident involving a Korean man allegedly fleeing from a Chinese-led scam operation near Pattaya.
On Wednesday, just two days prior, eight members of a Korean-Chinese call centre gang were arrested in Bang Lamung district during a police raid. The suspects were accused of assaulting a South Korean national.
