Kratom user takes anger out on ATM

PHUKET: An unruly kratom user was arrested at his apartment in Rawai this morning after CCTV footage showed him smashing the screen of an ATM on his way home from Phuket Town.

“We received the report of the broken ATM at about 4am this morning. At the scene, we found a big piece of concrete, as well as a smashed ATM screen and ATM keyboard on the side of the road,” Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit said.

From CCTV footage police were able to trace Somphon Kekina, 22, back to his apartment in Rawai by about 9am.

While making the arrest, officers found kratom leaves, kratom juice, cough syrup and the clothing worn by the suspect when he bashed the ATM.

Mr Somphon confessed to damaging the ATM.

“Before the incident, Mr Somphon went to drink kratom at his friend’s room in Phuket Town. On his way home, he went to withdraw money. He wanted 1,000 baht in two 500-baht notes. However, the ATM only gave him a 1,000-baht note,” Gen Patchara said.

“Mr Somphon became irritated and picked up a piece of concrete and broke the ATM. He tried to take the money out, but couldn’t. He then hit the ATM again.”

Mr Somphon was charged with damaging property and for the possession of a Category 5 drug.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong