HAT YAI, THAILAND – A Bangkok investor lost his entire high-end toy collection worth 3 million baht after thieves allegedly used severe flooding in Hat Yai as cover to empty his unopened shop.
Gallery cleaned out before opening day
Investor Ekarin had planned to open an exclusive toy gallery in Hat Yai on 1 December after moving there from Bangkok. Since early November, 630 rare and high-value collector’s items, including remote-controlled cars, drones, helicopters and fuel-powered aircraft, had been stored in the shop. When flooding hit the city, thieves reportedly took advantage of the submerged streets to strike.
Break-in during peak of flooding
According to neighbours, the robbery took place at the height of the floods. The perpetrators forced the lock, smashed the glass and cleared out the entire store. The loss of stock alone was valued at about 3 million baht, and the gallery never opened its doors.
Investor counts heavy financial damage
Ekarin said he had uprooted his life to back Hat Yai, his wife’s hometown, trusting in the tourist city and its community of collectors. He had already invested more than 1 million baht in renovating the premises and establishing the business legally. Now, both his capital and the complete inventory were gone.
“The damage did not come only from the flood but also from the lack of security during the crisis,”
said Ekarin, investor.
Crime scene in high-risk Zone 8
The break-in occurred in Zone 8, a neighbourhood locally known for higher crime rates. In a further irony, the shop was located only about one kilometre from the Hat Yai police station. The burglary reportedly happened before the building itself was flooded.
Ekarin acknowledged that rescue and emergency services might have been overwhelmed during the disaster. He said he had not expected such a risk, especially after a local community livestream had suggested that serious flooding was unlikely.
Refusal of state aid and call for justice
Despite his huge loss, the investor said he did not want to draw on limited state support.
“I saw bodies still waiting to be taken to the hospital. I want state aid to go first to those who really need it,”
said Ekarin, investor.
Instead of financial compensation, he said he wanted accountability for the crime.
“Someone must be held responsible for the theft,”
said Ekarin, investor.
He expressed hope that his case would serve as a warning to other entrepreneurs.
Appeal to authorities over crisis security
Ekarin also addressed local agencies directly.
“I hope my experience serves as a warning to local authorities, police and state agencies to take security more seriously in times of crisis,”
said Ekarin, investor.
He said better protection was needed so that other shop owners would not suffer similar losses. As Hat Yai slowly emerged from the floods, the Bangkok investor was left without a shop, without goods, but still holding on to the hope of justice.