A Thai woman seen brandishing a knife and chasing people along Bangkok’s busy Sukhumvit Road is set to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after an incident that left two people injured.
The attack occurred on the evening of Friday, January 16, in the popular area known for its shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife, and heavy pedestrian traffic. Videos circulating on social media show the woman waving a knife and pursuing pedestrians, with bystanders jumping over street railings to avoid her.
Reports indicate one victim suffered a cut on her back while browsing a vendor’s stall. Thai-language news outlet Thairath said both victims sustained minor injuries, declined medical treatment, and chose not to press charges.
In footage of the incident, the woman is seen attempting to flee in a taxi, but bystanders and officers quickly intervened, surrounding the vehicle and preventing her escape.
Witnesses, including local motorcycle taxi drivers, said the woman had been frequenting the area and was known for verbal harassment and a quick temper, though she had not previously been violent. Authorities noted that last month she was involved in a separate incident on a public bus in the Thonglor area, threatening passengers with a knife before being restrained by the bus driver and attendant.
Thai police have charged her with assault and transferred her to Somdej Chao Phraya Hospital for psychiatric evaluation. She will receive treatment if found to have a mental illness, with legal action to follow once her condition stabilises.
Officials are also reviewing whether she had previously been prosecuted for the bus incident and if additional preventive measures are needed to avoid repeat offences.
Following the latest attack, residents and business owners in the Sukhumvit Road area have urged authorities to address disruptive behaviour among vulnerable individuals, citing concerns over public safety and its potential impact on tourism.
