After receiving numerous complaints from residents, officials in Sattahip intervened to manage a man with a history of mental illness who had been disturbing the peace by knocking on doors while brandishing a knife or spatula.
The incident occurred at the Government Housing Project in Na Jomtien, where residents felt increasingly unsafe due to 27-year-old Kija (last name withheld), who had been causing distress for months by banging on doors and asking for food. His behavior often involved wielding a knife, leading some residents to avoid their homes and endure sleepless nights. His mother, 55-year-old Mrs. Naowarat, was present during discussions about the situation.
On October 24, local officials, including Mayor Thanapong Kotmanee of Khao Chi Chan Subdistrict and Sattahip District Clerk Apichat Khongthot, convened with the housing project’s community committee to address the ongoing issues. They proposed a two-step plan: first, to ensure Kija receives mental health treatment and takes his medication regularly, and second, to relocate him from the community if problems continue. Following the meeting, a team of over seven officials worked with Kija’s family to coax him out of the building safely. Meanwhile, his aunt, who lives with him, was tested for substance use after officials noted suspicious behavior; her test came back positive for illegal substances, leading both to be taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and rehabilitation.
Resident Prajongjit expressed relief at the intervention, noting that the disturbances had significantly impacted the community. He remarked, “Sometimes he’d knock on doors asking for food while waving a knife around, making many residents uneasy.” Prajongjit and others thanked officials for their prompt response and the collaborative efforts that helped restore safety to their neighborhood.
