Hawk theft stumps owner as police stall over 10,000 baht fee

A young entrepreneur is grappling with a distressing theft involving a prized Harris’s hawk, valued at nearly 200,000 baht (US$5,765), allegedly stolen by an employee. Three months on, the case remains unresolved despite clear evidence and a reported demand for a 10,000 baht (US$290) fuel fee by police for assistance in the investigation.

The incident unfolded when a 25 year old man, referred to as A, and his girlfriend sought legal advice from Kiattikun Tonyang, a notable lawyer and member of the People’s Party in Nonthaburi after a 45 year old employee allegedly took the hawk and handed it over to an acquaintance. A video confession from the employee admitting to the theft has been presented, yet progress in the case has stalled.

A, the founder of a company that uses hawks to deter pigeons in factories, was informed by his hawk handler on August 4 that the hawk had gone missing from the secure premises where it was kept. Surveillance footage revealed the employee leaving the area around 5am.

Subsequently, a colleague in the hawk community sent A a photograph of someone attempting to sell a hawk without proper documentation or leg bands. Recognising his missing hawk, A compiled evidence and filed a report with the Nakhon Luang Police Station in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya on August 6.

Despite repeated follow-ups, the police investigation has stagnated. A claims that the investigating officers cited a lack of budget for fuel expenses to pursue the case and requested 10,000 baht as a fuel fee, which A reluctantly provided in hopes of retrieving the hawk. However, no further action has been taken, leaving A waiting in vain for three months.

The employee confessed to stealing the hawk but denied selling it, claiming no profit was made. The trail led to the person who received the hawk, and a conversation was recorded, where the recipient claimed to have passed the hawk on to someone else and had since lost contact. They suggested that buying back the hawk might be necessary. Despite submitting this audio evidence to the police, no charges have been filed.

Hawk theft

A and his girlfriend have a deep emotional bond with the hawk, having purchased it as a chick for 70,000 baht (US$2,020) and trained it to perform, generating an income of approximately 100,000 baht (US$2,880) per month. The hawk’s absence has not only resulted in a loss of income but also left an emotional void.

A’s girlfriend, particularly attached to the hawk named Fighter, has been tirelessly searching for it, driving from Nakhon Pathom to Ayutthaya. She has pleaded with officials to expedite the case against the perpetrator and has offered a reward of 100,000 baht for the hawk’s safe return, reported KhaoSod.

Kiattikun remarked on the sufficiency of evidence to issue a summons for the suspect under charges of employee theft, which carries a potential maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to 100,000 baht. Regarding the allegation of the police demanding money for fuel, the lawyer expressed scepticism and urged the provincial police commander in Ayutthaya to examine the case’s progress at the local station.