PATTAYA, THAILAND – A Pattaya investigator disguised himself as a homeless man to arrest a suspected serial thief in Jomtien, who later tested positive for drugs according to police.
Arrest in Jomtien after surveillance
On 10 April 2026, at around 22:06, Pol. Lt. Col. Arus Saphanont, deputy chief of the investigation division at Pattaya City Police Station, led an operations team in Jomtien. Their target was a suspect linked to several thefts who was to be identified after an evaluation of information and CCTV footage.
According to police, the operation focused on confirming the identity of the man seen on the recordings. Officers coordinated their positions in the area while the undercover element monitored the suspect’s movements.
Investigator ‘Bang Thatch’ used as decoy
Pol. Sgt. Maj. Thatsanai Temphon, known on social media as “Bang Thatch” and head of an investigation unit, was assigned to observe and follow the suspect. To avoid attracting attention, he disguised himself as a homeless man collecting rubbish.
He waited until the target walked past him without suspicion. At that point, the team was in place to move in once the identity had been verified against the video material.
Suspect detained in alley near Land Office
Officers detained 42-year-old Somjai Chansut from Yasothon province in an alley near the Land Office. Police stated they seized as evidence the exact clothing the man was alleged to have worn during the theft.
The suspect was taken into custody along with the seized items. The clothing was to be used to compare with the images captured on CCTV.
Confession during initial questioning
During the first interrogation at Pattaya City Police Station, the suspect reportedly admitted to being the person shown on the CCTV footage. Police said he claimed to have acted out of financial desperation.
He told officers that he had no job and no money and that he had wanted to survive in a desperate situation. His statement suggested he viewed the incident as a single act driven by hardship.
Positive drug test and links to drugs, online gambling
According to police, the man also admitted to occasional drug use and online gambling. A drug test carried out on the suspect reportedly came back positive.
Officers noted these factors as part of the background to his alleged offences. They said the test result would be included in the case file.
Prior offences contradict suspect’s version
A records check revealed what police described as a long history of offences. According to investigators, the man had been arrested at least five times for theft and drug-related crimes.
This criminal record contradicted his assertion that the incident in question had been only a single theft. Police said the file showed a pattern of repeat offending.
Further investigations into additional cases
The suspect was placed in custody together with the seized clothing and was to be charged in accordance with legal procedures, police stated. Investigators continued to examine whether he was connected to other thefts in the Jomtien–Pattaya area.
Officers indicated that the ongoing review of unsolved cases would look for similarities with the current allegations. Any additional evidence linking the suspect to further incidents would be added to the prosecution brief.