Hapless Thai thieves arrested after showing off ill-gotten wealth

Two hapless Thai thieves were arrested after showing off their ill-gotten wealth to neighbours in the southern province of Songkhla.

A 67 year old homeowner and victim, Itsaree, filed a complaint with Mueang Songkhla Police Station after a long list of valuables disappeared from her home on Saiburi Road in Songkhla. The theft took place at about 8pm on July 25.

The arrests of the two thieves, 45 year old Wissanu On-norm and 30 year old Narate Jitsopha, were made yesterday, July 31. Wissanu was caught at a resort, while Narate was apprehended at his home. Police added that Wissanu was an illegal resident in Thailand, as he did not have an identification card.

The police revealed that they successfully apprehended the two thieves with assistance from residents near Narate’s home. Narate had boasted about his newfound wealth to his neighbours on several occasions, which aroused suspicion about the source of his money and led the locals to report the matter to the authorities.

Wissanu confessed to breaking into the home and stealing the assets, while his accomplice Narate sold the stolen items and shared the proceeds with him. They had accumulated approximately 20,000 baht from their illicit activities.

Wissanu and Narate admitted to spending most of the stolen money on parties and drugs. Wissanu further revealed that he had hired sex workers for two consecutive days before his arrest.

The police seized the stolen valuables, including gold and diamond accessories and luxury watches, from several gold shops where Narate had sold them. Officers managed to return all the stolen items to the victim.

Channel 7 reported that Wissanu had just been released from prison 10 days before his latest arrest. In the former case, he was arrested and jailed for two years over a theft case.

Wissanu and Narate were charged under Section 334 of the Criminal Law: stealing property of another person. The penalty is imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to 60,000 baht. They also faced a charge for their drug use, but the details of the punishment have not been made public.