At 8:20 a.m. on June 12, a man dressed in an orange reflective vest and long jeans, wielding a running chainsaw in both hands, attempted to enter the Government House via Gate 4, causing panic among police officers, government officials, and others present.
Police quickly erected metal barricades to block the entrance and calmly persuaded the man to stand down. They eventually managed to de-escalate the situation and led him to the government’s complaint center within the compound.
The man was identified as Mr. Chaloem (alias), 53, from Nan Province. He had previously attempted to meet senior government officials multiple times to protest unpaid wages related to a state hospital construction project.
Mr. Chaloem is also known for previous protest actions, including climbing a tree next to the Ratchadamnoen Road fence of Government House and reaching the rooftop of the police guard building, where he displayed protest signs. This incident occurred during the tenure of former Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha and required negotiation by officials to bring him down safely.