Colonel Atinan hailed from Lopburi province and had only taken up the post on September 2nd following the removal of the previous chief after a series of drug raids in Pattaya.
The Chief of Police for Pattaya died suddenly on Friday of a heart while on the way to a meeting in Bangkok.
Pattaya’s Chief of Police died of a heart attack on Friday which assailed him as he was travelling with colleagues to Bangkok for a meeting. 59-year-old Colonel Atinan Nuchanart who was only recently installed in the job complained of acute chest pain and lost consciousness in the car.
Car turned around and headed to hospital
The car turned around rushed straight for Chonburi Hospital. It is reported that doctors at the hospital used a heart pump procedure in a desperate attempt to revive the senior police officer and get his heart beating again but after they succeeded, it stopped for a second and last time. Colonel Atinan was declared dead at 1.49 pm.
Only been in the position since September 2nd
He had only taken up the position on September 2nd after being transferred from the Mueang area of Chonburi. The previous police chief had been removed after a series of significant drug raids on local nighttime entertainment venues which were found to be open well after closing time.
Crackdown on bars flouting the law
The police boss became known for his no-nonsense attitude towards late opening hours and oversaw a crackdown in mid-September following an early morning shoot out at a suburban bar in the resort city. This was led by Colonel Saranyapong Maithongkunthorn, the Chief Inspector of Police in Pattaya.
He also oversaw a number of case resolutions and police successes in the fight against crime in the city during his short tenure.
Due to retire next year
The chief was a Royal Thai Police Force officer for decades and was originally from Lopburi province. He graduated from police school in 1993 at the age of 33. He was respected and admired by his colleagues and those who worked with him. He was due to retire next year at 60.
Further reading:
Police crack the whip on late-night drinking in Pattaya after bizarre shootout at a local Thai bar
