Russian man in safe custody after breach at Provincial Hall
A 26-YEAR-OLD RUSsian man with a history of mental illness was taken into protective custody in hospital after he smashed a glass door to the Phuket Governor’s office while trying to evade capture at Phuket Provincial Hall early on Jan 17.
Security personnel from the Phuket branch of the Volunteer Defense Force (OrSor) reported hearing a door alarm sounding near the elevator on the ground floor at about 2:45am.
Upon investigation, the security personnel encountered a shirtless foreign man wearing black shorts, who attempted to evade capture.
One of the security personnel managed to detain him briefly, but the Russian man managed to escape, fleeing to different floors of the building.
Police were alerted to the incident through the 191 emergency response centre, and the incident took a dramatic turn when, around 4:30am, the sound of shattered glass was heard coming from the Governor’s room on the fourth floor.
Personnel arrived to discover a broken glass door and bloodstains at the scene. They also found a steel axe used, the kind used for breaking glass in case of emergency, beneath the governor’s secretary’s desk.
Officials promptly documented the scene, collecting evidence for a thorough investigation.
The same Russian man was later found attempting to steal a car near a convenience store nearby. He was not wearing a shirt, and was visibly injured, with blood flowing from his feet due to the glass cuts.
The man was swiftly taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment, where it was confirmed that he possessed psychiatric patient records. The man’s identity remains undisclosed due to his unresponsive state, said a report of the incident by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).
CCTV footage revealed the Russian’s erratic movements around government buildings before reaching Phuket Provincial Hall. Police suspect he may have been experiencing a psychotic episode or under the influence at the time of his incursion.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat addressed the incident, expressing concern for the mental health of the individual involved. He also emphasised the need for heightened security not only at Phuket Provincial Hall but also at various government buildings across the island.
Legal action will be taken against the Russian man for at least trespassing on government property, the PR Phuket report confirmed.
Authorities are awaiting his recovery for further interrogation, citing the necessity of a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following the investigation and subsequent legal action, the man may face deportation, PR Phuket noted.