An Indian man in the Thai capital of Bangkok has been arrested for threatening people with a pistol-shaped lighter in Siam Square. The man, identified as Sahil Ram Thadani, caused a ruckus outside the Novotel Hotel at around 4pm on Monday, according to a Bangkok Post report. He was initially seen dancing in broad daylight on a busy street, but eventually started insulting random people. Thadani didn’t stop there; began pointing an object – possibly a pistol-shaped lighter – at passers-by, causing panic among onlookers in one of Bangkok’s most popular commercial areas.
When security intervened to pacify the situation, he was seen sitting on the ground and despite being instructed by officials to get up, he refused and continued to shout.
He was later heard sobbing and asking for the police to be called before eventually apologizing for his behaviour.
Police and security personnel rushed to the spot and tried to pacify Thadani, but he continued to act aggressively and allegedly threatened the police. He was eventually restrained and taken into custody at the Pathum Wan Police Station.
This is not an actual firearm
Authorities confirmed that the object he was brandishing was not an actual firearm, but a lighter shaped like a pistol. Thadani was charged with threatening behavior and causing a public disturbance. Police said his erratic actions may have been triggered by hallucinations associated with the use of cannabis.
A police report revealed that Thadani had previously served as a director of three companies in India, all of which are now defunct. Authorities are investigating how long he had been in Thailand and whether he had any history of disruptive behavior.
Indian tourist arrested in Pattaya for theft ₹16,000 from transgenders
In a similar incident, a 34-year-old Indian man was arrested in Pattaya, Thailand for ₹16,100) for allegedly stealing 7,000 baht (approx. ₹16,100) from a transgender woman he met on Walking Street, a popular nightlife area. The victim, 27-year-old Nong Ploy, filed a police complaint on July 18.
According to Ploy, she met the man at an Indian-themed pub on Walking Street, where they had a conversation and later went to his guest house to continue drinking. After arriving at the room, the man allegedly persuaded her to take a shower. When she emerged, she noticed him closing the safe suspiciously and discovered that 7,000 baht had been stolen from her bag. When she tried to leave, the suspect allegedly blocked her exit.
Hotel staff, alerted by her cries for help, intervened and contacted the police. Ploy told authorities the man appeared intoxicated and possibly under the influence of drugs, was exhibiting erratic behavior, including sticking out his tongue and acting strangely.
Thai police subsequently arrested the suspect and he remained in custody while an investigation into the incident was launched.
