Nakhon Phanom: A dramatic standoff unfolded in Na Pho Village when a former soldier, reportedly under the influence of drugs, set his house on fire and fired a crossbow at police officers. The incident, involving a 45-year-old man known as Mr. Nai or ‘Tu’, began yesterday afternoon. Officers from Mueang Nakhon Phanom Police Station, alongside local administration officers, responded with riot control equipment, including iron spikes, shields, rubber bullets, and tear gas, in an attempt to negotiate and control the chaotic situation.

According to Thai News Agency, the altercation lasted several hours as Mr. Nai, exhibiting delirious behavior, threatened to burn his house down while officers attempted to subdue him amidst heavy rain. The situation escalated when Mr. Nai resisted the tear gas by throwing it back at the officers, leveraging his military training to fend off their attempts to approach the house.

Despite their efforts, officers struggled to gain entry as Mr. Nai had locked all doors and continued to retaliate with a crossbow. As the standoff intensified, Mr. Nai set his house on fire, prompting the Ban Phueng Subdistrict Administrative Organization to dispatch fire trucks to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby homes. Although the fire was eventually extinguished, Mr. Nai managed to escape during the chaos, leaving officers unable to locate him.

The incident alarmed local residents, who attributed Mr. Nai’s erratic behavior to his drug addiction. His mother revealed that he had struggled with substance abuse, which drastically altered his behavior, leading to frequent outbursts and conflicts at home. Despite multiple attempts at rehabilitation, Mr. Nai continued to relapse, culminating in this latest crisis. His disappearance has prompted a search by the village headman and local villagers, though he remains at large.