A man apparently high on drugs was shot dead after attacking a policeman in Phon Sawan district of this northeastern border province on Saturday.
Pol Lt Col Itthisak Chomsiharat, an investigator from Phon Sawan police station, said the incident occurred at about 1 pm in front of a house in Moo 1 village in tambon Ban Kho.
Eyewitnesses told police that the man, identified as Lampoey Chamopa, 48, visited his elder sister, Thongkham Khensom, 56, and asked for 100 baht. When she refused, Lampoey, who appeared to be high on drugs and very drunk, became angry and attacked people around him, prompting the residents to call police.
Pol Lt Wichit Bangpla, 59, from Phon Sawan police station, arrived at the scene ahead of his team. He tried to calm Lampoey down but the man attacked him with a sharp-pointed knife, wounding him in the head and arms. The police officer fired a few shots at him with a pistol, but failed to stop the man. The officer then fired another shot that killed the man on the spot.
The police officer was taken to Phon Sawan Hospital when his team arrived.
Lampoey was hit three times, in the foot, the shin and the torso. A knife with blood stains was recovered from him and taken as evidence.
An investigation was underway.
