Officials subdue mentally ill man with knife who knocks on doors to get food in Na Jomtien residential community

SATTAHIP, Thailand – After receiving multiple complaints from residents, Sattahip officials intervened to subdue a man with a history of mental illness, who had been disrupting peace by knocking on doors while wielding a knife or spatula.

The incident took place at the Government Housing Project in Na Jomtien. Residents reported feeling unsafe due to the man, identified as 27-year-old Kija (last name withheld), who had been causing distress in the community for months by repeatedly knocking on doors to ask for food, sometimes brandishing a knife, causing them led some residents to avoid entering their homes or spend sleepless nights. His mother, Mrs Naowarat, 55, was present during discussions to address the issue.

On October 24, representatives of local authorities, including Khao Chi Chan Subdistrict Mayor Thanapong Kotmanee, Sattahip District Secretary Apichat Khongthot, and the community housing project committee, met to discuss an approach to resolve the current problem. They proposed a two-step solution: first, send Kija for mental health treatment and make sure he takes his medication consistently, and second, if problems persist, relocate him outside the Government Housing Project community to maintain peace.

After the meeting, a team of more than seven officials coordinated with Kija’s family to remove him from the building, allowing authorities to safely protect him. Simultaneously, his aunt, who lives with him, was subjected to substance abuse testing after officials detected suspicious behavior. Their test came back positive for illegal substances, which led to both individuals being transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and rehabilitation.

Prajongjit, a resident, expressed relief and gratitude for the intervention, explaining that the riots had significantly affected residents. He shared that Kija’s behavior had become increasingly worrying, saying: “He would sometimes knock on the door to ask for food while waving a knife, which made many residents uneasy.” Prajongjit and other community members thanked officials for their quick response and the cooperation of various agencies that helped restore safety to their neighborhood.