HAT YAI, THAILAND – Police in the flood-hit southern city detained six men over large-scale beer thefts from stranded cargo as they pursued an alleged ringleader behind wider looting.
Raid on stranded beer cargo at Hat Yai station
On Saturday, police arrested six men — Charoon, Prasin, Mongkol, Warinthorn, Suchat and Piyapong — at Hat Yai railway station. They were caught breaking into a freight truck that had been stranded by severe flooding and was carrying large quantities of beer that could no longer be transported. A video posted on the Facebook account “Army Military Force” showed offenders forcing their way into stationary freight wagons and stealing crates of Chang beer, illustrating the scale of looting in the crisis zone.
Suspects claim orders from powerful figure
During questioning, the detainees admitted that the raid was part of a wider criminal scheme exploiting the disaster.
“They were commissioned by an influential figure,”
said a police officer, adding that others had also been involved. The revelations cast a troubling light on organized crime using the flood catastrophe for profit while residents struggled to protect their homes.
Further brewery and convenience store lootings
The beer theft at the station was not an isolated incident, according to authorities. In a separate case, thieves broke into a distribution center of Boon Rawd Brewery and stole crates of Leo and Singha beer. A 7-Eleven outlet in Hat Yai’s so‑called “District 8,” regarded as dangerous, was also looted, with drinks and cigarettes taken before the perpetrators escaped.
Brewery vows aid first, legal action later
Piti Bhirombhakdi, vice president of the brewery, stressed that the company would prioritise assistance for people hit by the disaster.
“We have to help the disaster victims, but will take legal action later,”
said Piti Bhirombhakdi, vice president of the brewery. His comments underlined a dual approach of emergency relief now and pursuing accountability once the immediate crisis eased.
Police tighten security and hunt alleged mastermind
Security forces increased their presence in inundated areas as reports of looting continued to circulate on social media. The six arrested men from the station were charged with burglary and theft, while investigators focused on tracking down the alleged mastermind behind the operation. Officials warned that the latest arrests were only the visible part of a larger problem emerging as the floodwaters slowly receded and the full extent of the damage became clear.
City in crisis amid warnings of more criminal gangs
The southern city of Hat Yai faced an unprecedented crisis as retreating waters revealed widespread devastation. Looting reached an alarming level, prompting police to urge the public to remain vigilant against further criminal gangs. At the same time, the beer raids showed that authorities were determined not to be paralysed by the disaster and to move decisively against those who sought to exploit their fellow citizens’ hardship.