PATTAYA, THAILAND – Police in Banglamung near Pattaya arrested a 36-year-old neighbor suspected of burglarizing the house directly behind his own and detained a second man after finding signs of drug use during a search.
Burglary report launched investigation
On 13 January 2026, Santisak, 51, reported to Banglamung police that an unknown intruder had entered his house in Soi Kraek 4 and stolen several valuables. According to the report, missing items included a main power cable for the house supply, a concrete drill, three smaller drills, a refrigerator compressor and another roll of electrical cable. The victim handed over clear CCTV footage showing the perpetrator during the break-in, which became the central basis for the investigation.
Suspect identified as next-door neighbor
Based on the video analysis and neighborhood interviews, officers identified the suspected burglar as Itthisak (“San”) Phunsawat, 36, who lived in an unmarked house in Soi Kraek 4/1 directly behind the victim’s property, separated only by a shared fence. On 17 January 2026, Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchanart, head of Banglamung Police Station, assembled a raid unit led by Pol. Lt. Col. Yongyuth Wan Nuea, Pol. Lt. Col. Wutthipong Kasa and Pol. Lt. Natthan Thanya Chantawong. Officers arrested Itthisak at his home, where he admitted to police that he was the man seen on the CCTV footage and that he had carried out the burglary.
Drug use uncovered during house search
During the search of the property, investigators also found Thotsaphon (“Bo”) Hantip, a friend of the main suspect, inside the house. According to police, he was in the process of consuming narcotics at the time. Officers seized drug paraphernalia, and Thotsaphon was charged with using Category 1 narcotics, meaning methamphetamine-related substances.
Suspect cites need to buy milk for child
In questioning, police said Itthisak claimed he had sold the stolen items to obtain money for milk for his child.
“He said he sold the stolen property to get money for milk for his child.”
said investigators, describing the suspect’s statement as a motive rather than a mitigating factor. Itthisak faced charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and possession and use of Category 1 drugs, while Thotsaphon was to stand trial for drug use. Both men were taken to Banglamung Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Debate over poverty, drugs and crime
The case highlighted the intersection of social hardship, narcotics and neighborhood crime in Banglamung. A man stole from his neighbor, saying it was about milk for his child, while drug utensils lay in the house and a friend was consuming methamphetamine.
“Is this a desperate act – or a convenient excuse? Where does social hardship end and criminal energy begin?”
said a commentary from The Pattaya News, raising questions about how society should respond when poverty and drug use collide.