Indian man detained in Bangkok for waving gun-shaped lighter, sparks panic
In a bizarre incident, an Indian man was detained in Bangkok’s busy Siam Square after he caused panic by brandishing a pistol-shaped cigarette lighter and shouting at pedestrians.
According to the Bangkok Post, the incident occurred around 4 pm on Monday in Siam Square Soi 6, Pathum Wan district.
The man, identified as Sahil Ram Thadani, 41, was charged with threatening behaviour and causing a public disturbance.
Videos circulating on social media showed Thadani walking erratically, yelling, and pointing what appeared to be a firearm at bystanders. He was later seen sitting on the ground as security personnel and police surrounded and restrained him.
Police said the object turned out to be a gun-shaped lighter, not a real weapon. However, the scene triggered alarm among onlookers, prompting a swift response from authorities.
सोशल मीडिया X पर वायरल एक पोस्ट के मुताबिक बैंकॉक में एक भारतीय को सड़क पर घूमते हुए 'लाइटर गन' से राहगीरों को धमकाते और गालियां देते देखा गया. बाद में पुलिस ने उसे कानून का सबक सिखाते हुए हिरासत में लिया और इस तरह उसकी हेकड़ी निकल गई. pic.twitter.com/pW5WJt3Fwp
— Shwetank Ratnamber (@swwetanksr) October 19, 2025
“An Indian national in Bangkok created panic on the streets after he was seen roaming around with a lighter gun intimidating commuters & shouting abuses. The chaos forced the authorities to intervene, and he was eventually detained by the local police. Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident,” read the caption of a widely shared post on X.
Thadani was taken to Pathum Wan Police Station, where investigators believe he may have been hallucinating under the influence of cannabis.
According to a police report, Thadani had previously served as director of three now-defunct companies in India.
Thai authorities are currently reviewing his visa status and investigating whether he has been involved in similar incidents before.
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