Son of ex-Maj Gen set fire to house, attacked rescuers before taking own life

The son of a retired Maj Gen took his own life after allegedly setting fire to his home and shooting at firefighters before police would discover a cache of military-grade weapons and explosives at his two-storey property in Bangkok’s Bang Phlat district on Friday morning.

Gunshots fired through the window of the house. (Photo: Wassayos Ngamkham)

Police were alerted to the incident at about 9.30am at a house on Soi Charat Lap off Sirindhorn Road. Officers from Bang Phlat police station, special operations units, forensic teams, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and Bang O Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene.

Police and related authorities at the scene of the event. (Photo supplied/ Wassayos Ngamkham)

Firefighters attempting to enter the house to tackle the blaze and search for survivors came under gunfire from inside the building. They were ordered to withdraw and establish a perimeter while police and tactical officers moved in to secure the area.

The fire was eventually contained from outside the property as the suspect continued shouting at officers to stay away.

After the flames were extinguished, police entered the house and found a large quantity of firearms and ammunition. The body of the suspect, identified as Mr Sarawut Kasorn-in, was found sitting on a chair on the second floor, with a firearm in his hand.

Firearms found in the house after the fire was controlled. (Photo supplied/ Wassayos Ngamkham)

Police also discovered explosives in an adjacent room, causing them to withdraw from the area to allow for support from the EOD team.

An initial inspection found two M60 machine guns, a Desert Eagle handgun and several unidentified explosive devices inside the property. Authorities have decided to treat the scene as a high-risk area while bomb disposal officers work to secure the explosives and determine their origins.

The house belonged to retired Maj Gen Saman Kasorn-in, a former Royal Thai Army officer. Sarawut, the alleged shooter, was his son.

Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the motive and how the weapons and explosives came to be stored at the house.