Thai theft suspect drowns after jumping into canal to escape arrest
Girlfriend defends suspect, saying he had never stolen anything in his life
Yesterday, a Thai man drowned in a canal in Samut Prakan province after allegedly attempting to steal from a parked car and evading arrest by jumping into the water.
Locals alerted Bang Sao Thong Police Station officers and Por Teck Tung Foundation rescuers to a canal within the Eua Arthon Mueangma Bangphli Community in the Bang Sao Thong district after the man disappeared beneath the surface.
The incident occurred at around 1am when residents noticed the theft attempt. The man had forced his way into a parked car but was caught and witnesses pursued him, prompting him to jump into the canal.
Locals provided police with a video showing the man swimming in the middle of the canal as he tried to reach the opposite bank and flee; however, he became exhausted and drowned.
Volunteer divers from Por Teck Tung recovered the man’s body ten minutes after the search began. He was found at the bottom of a canal approximately one metre deep, reportedly clutching a wooden stick in his right hand. No visible injuries were found on his body.
Police discovered a mobile phone and a necklace containing a valuable amulet, believed to be around 50 years old, in his possession. His identity remains under investigation as no personal documents were found with him.
His girlfriend later came across the news report and was reportedly shocked to discover that the deceased was her 50 year old boyfriend, Prasert. She insisted that he had never stolen anything and had worked as a security guard at a company in the area.
According to his girlfriend, Prasert had previously told her about an experience of seeing a ghost. He told her that the ghost would take his life very soon. She confirmed that he did not use drugs, but frequently drank alcohol.
The body was taken to the Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute to establish whether there were any intoxicants in his system.
In a similar incident, a drug suspect in Pathum Thani province jumped into a canal to evade arrest in October 2023. No drugs were found on him; police recovered only two mobile phones and 200 baht in cash.
In 2020, a Thai motorcyclist drowned in a sludge treatment pool in Songkhla province after fleeing from a police checkpoint. Officers found no illegal items on him and suspected he might have used drugs or stolen the motorcycle, prompting him to escape.
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