Cases of neighborly disputes are as old as time, but when they cross the threshold from mere disagreements to outright terror, it becomes a story worth broadcasting to the world. This is the unfortunate situation that Pranee Boonsawang, affectionately known as Som, finds herself entangled in. Over the past year, Som’s peaceful apartment complex in Soi Palai, Village 2, Chalong, has metamorphosed into a hub of anxiety and distress—all thanks to her tumultuous neighbor, 29-year-old Thiranai Chanphong.
Imagine being unable to sleep through the night, your rest shattered by the unnerving screams and threats echoing through the chilly pre-dawn air. Thiranai, an apparently troubled young man with a penchant for nocturnal rampages, has been doing just that. His unsettling behaviors include hurling bottles, brandishing sticks, and whispering threats of arson, leaving Som and her tenants living in a constant state of dread.
It all spiraled into chaos in early 2024. Back then, Som took it upon herself to lodge the first of many complaints to the Chalong Police Station after an intoxicated Thiranai barged into her premises and endangered a foreign guest by throwing a bottle. Though the police famously took action by detaining him temporarily, identifying his history of drug use and mental health issues, the resolution stopped there. The station’s officers, shackled by legal limitations, have seemingly watched just as helplessly as Som.
“The police advised me to canvas attention through the media,” Som recounted, her voice tinged with weariness and frustration. Indeed, desperate times call for desperate measures. Yet despite her endless efforts, including personally paying for Thiranai’s treatment in various hospitals totaling 7,000 baht, peace has remained elusive. His fleeting absence was quickly followed by a return to turmoil, as if no time had passed.
The situation from there only proved to be increasingly volatile. Night after night, Thiranai’s erratic outbursts escalated, his voice venomous with curses and threats of violence—a callous serenade that shattered the night’s tranquility. Again, the police found themselves at an impasse, citing an apparent lack of further actionable pathways under current restrictions.
Desperate avenues led Som to the village headman and even the Social Security Office. Alas, her hopes were dashed alongside an estimated 6,000 baht per month cost for Thiranai’s long-term care, an expense out of reach for his financially struggling family. In a further bid for peace, Som selflessly offered to finance his relocation, but again, barriers rose up without mercy.
Each day Som battles with a growing sense of helplessness and fear that clamors to break her. “Some nights, I feel like I need to learn how to shoot a gun to protect myself,” she confessed, a chilling reminder of the desperation gnawing at her. Every word a plea, she asked, “If I can’t find a way out of this nightmare, does this mean I must wait until someone gets harmed or worse?”
No one should have to live with such burdens, and so Som quietly harbors hope for intervention—a dedicated agency or service that will finally put this chapter of their lives to rest and guarantee the safety and mental wellbeing of everyone affected. Until then, each new sunrise comes with the daunting potential for Thiranai’s unpredictable fury to ignite into irreversible tragedy.
Why should Som have to pay for her neighbor’s issues? The police need to step up!
But what if Thiranai needs help more than punishment? Maybe more mental health support systems are needed.
Sure, Jane, but what about Som’s mental health? Constant threats can’t be good for her either.
Let’s be real, guys. We need both security and mental health solutions.
This is a failure of local governance. The village headman should do more.
I agree. They have the local power to mediate these disputes better.
Maybe education on nonviolent communication techniques should be implemented too.
Education is fine, but community safety comes first. It’s past due for action.
Couldn’t they just move? I don’t get why someone would stay in that situation!
Moving can be really expensive and isn’t always realistic, especially for tenants.
That’s easy to say when it’s not your home or your money.
I really feel for Som—sometimes systems just fail the people who need them most.
This reminds me of situations here at home; neglect of mental health care is global.
Pardon my doubt, but why is Som dealing with this alone? Where are local NGOs?
Ever considered that NGOs might not even have funding? It’s not just up to them.
There’s a lot of bureaucratic hurdles for NGOs too, just like any agency.
This is terrifying. Imagine living next to someone like this; legal reforms should be a priority.
The way the world ignores mental health until it’s too late is astonishing.
I think Som should document everything. Maybe that will push authorities to find a solution.
Why isn’t there more info on Thiranai’s background? Understanding his past might help.
This situation clearly needs a collaborative effort between multiple agencies.
As sad as this is, sometimes community strength can create change when authorities fail.
If things don’t improve for Som, intervention from higher government levels may become necessary.
Fascinating how it takes media coverage for issues to gain attention. Is that right?