Banglamung, Thailand – An unidentified man suspected of stealing highway guardrails escaped on a white Honda MSX motorbike, prompting a police manhunt and raising fears of organized theft.
Suspect discovered on Highway 331
On 10 April 2026, at around 9 p.m., officials in the Huay Yai area of Banglamung district spotted a suspicious man along Highway 331. He was believed to have been attempting to dismantle guardrails.
According to Panyathip Aranyapuwanart, a construction officer with the Khao-Mai-Kaew highway maintenance unit, authorities had first received a report about a suspiciously parked motorcycle on the roadside. Response teams then drove to the reported location to check the situation.
Location of the incident and initial check
The incident took place near kilometer markers 28+800 to 29+000 on the inbound side toward Bo Win, at the access road to Huong-Suey village in Moo 2, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict. At the scene, officers found a man estimated to be 40 to 50 years old lying in the forested area beside the road.
When questioned, the man said he was there for “personal reasons.” The circumstances appeared suspicious, however, leading officials to inspect the surroundings more closely.
Distinctive clothing and tools
The man reportedly wore a gray long-sleeved top, a balaclava, black long trousers and fabric shoes. Nearby, officers found tools including a socket wrench, a crowbar, locking pliers and other mechanic’s equipment.
At several points, screws had already been removed from guardrail panels. This indicated that the dismantling work had already begun.
Escape on white Honda MSX and pursuit
While officials were photographing the white Honda MSX motorcycle, the suspect seized the moment to flee. He jumped onto the bike and sped off in the direction of Bo Win.
The response team immediately gave chase, following him across several districts and into Rayong province. The escape route reportedly passed a U-turn area on Kittipakool Road and then continued along side roads toward Ban Huay Khai Nao and Ban Samnak Yang.
Route through Rayong and suspect’s getaway
The man continued into Nikhom Phatthana district in Rayong and entered the Amata City industrial zone. He was then said to have looped back via Ban Pong Saket in Takhian Tia subdistrict, Banglamung.
Later he reappeared near the Khao-Mai-Kaew market, passed a PTT petrol station and turned again toward the “Rubber Office.” He ultimately escaped in the direction of Wat Nong Rakam in Rayong and managed to shake off his pursuers.
Indications of organized theft
Investigations indicated that the suspect had already removed around ten guardrail panels in the same area previously. During the latest incident, he was believed to have been trying to dismantle a further seven to eight panels.
Authorities suspected an organized method: accomplices were thought to loosen the screws first, before a truck arrived to load and remove the freed guardrail panels.
Damage and earlier crimes in the area
Each guardrail panel was valued at around 4,700 baht, bringing the total damage for the Khao-Mai-Kaew highway maintenance unit to nearly 100,000 baht. Officials stressed that the thefts affected not only materials but also overall road safety.
It was also not the first criminal case in this area. Previously, a power transformer worth about 300,000 baht and two street-light control boxes, each valued at around 30,000 baht, had been stolen.
As a result of these thefts, street lighting failed along several stretches of Highway 331, creating hazards and inconvenience for road users.
Police report and ongoing search
Following the incident, the Khao-Mai-Kaew highway maintenance unit planned to file an official complaint with investigators at Huay Yai Police Station. The goal was to pursue criminal proceedings and prevent further thefts.
Police were actively searching for the fugitive suspect to hold him accountable. No additional details about his identity had been released so far.