Single mother faces multiple theft accusations in Pathum Thani

A single mother of four has been accused of theft by the owner of her former rental apartment after her seven year old son inadvertently took a plastic bucket worth 45 baht while they were moving out. To attend the police summons, she had to sell her rice cooker for 300 baht.

The CRSJ Foundation’s Facebook page received a complaint from a 39 year old single mother who faced a police report for theft. The incident occurred in Pathum Thani province, where the owner of the rental property accused her of stealing a plastic bucket worth 45 baht.

Lieutenant Raphassit Pattharasirichaisin, Vice President of the CRSJ Foundation, and Chanchai Chaibu, an advisor to the foundation, took on the complaint from the single mother.

The woman recounted that after being unable to pay the 1,000 baht rental fee, the owner filed a theft complaint at the Pak Khlong Rangsit Police Station. She later discovered that her seven year old son, who was helping his siblings move their belongings, had mistakenly taken the plastic bucket along with other items.

Upon learning of the police report, the mother was summoned by the investigating officer.

With no money for transportation to the police station, she decided to sell her rice cooker for 300 baht to cover the travel expenses. At the station, she was fingerprinted and informed that returning the plastic bucket would not resolve the issue.

Theft accusations

Additionally, the woman faced accusations of stealing a 100-baht mirror and a lock for the electricity meter cabinet outside the rental room, bringing the total claimed theft amount to 165 baht.

She insisted these two items were not in her possession and pleaded for empathy from the apartment owner, highlighting her financial struggles and single-parent status. She also revealed that her eldest child had been severely beaten, adding to her hardships.

“I have no money, not even for travel expenses. The foundation had to cover my transportation costs today. How can the owner be so heartless to accuse me of theft and publicly shame me on Facebook?”

Lieutenant Raphassit remarked that the case evokes significant sympathy for the accused.

“The foundation will liaise with the prosecutor’s office to determine if there was any intent behind the theft accusation.”

Raphassit also found it puzzling that the investigating officer issued two summonses on the same day, August 2, which seemed unusual.

The CRSJ Foundation continues to support the single mother in navigating the legal complexities, reported KhaoSod.