AYUTTHAYA — 2 April 2026, Police in Phra In Racha district of Ayutthaya have dismantled a major motorcycle theft ring operating across several provinces, with suspects allegedly stealing bikes to sell in neighbouring countries and seeking cash ahead of the Songkran festival.
Pol. Col. Chanun Prempluemjit, superintendent of Phra In Racha Police Station, said the operation followed an investigation into a network responsible for multiple thefts nationwide. Chat messages recovered from suspects indicated they were targeting funds for Songkran spending, and a minor was also found to be involved.
The case began on 29 March 2026 at 06:00, when investigators were notified of the theft of two Honda Wave 110i motorcycles from a dormitory car park at Pratunam Phra In Market in Chiang Rak Noi, Bang Pa-in district. CCTV footage showed four suspects using two vehicles, with clearly assigned roles, committing the theft at around 04:11 before fleeing along Phahon Yothin Road towards Highway 9 and into Nonthaburi’s Bang Bua Thong district.
Later that day, police arrested the first suspect, Jiraphat, 26, also known as “Tee”, and seized clothing and a mobile phone containing evidence of communication with accomplices and money transfers linked to motorcycle sales.
Further investigation led to the arrest of two more suspects, Athiphan, 26, alias “Benz”, and a 16-year-old male, along with a pickup truck used in the crimes in Wang Noi district. Officers also recovered four stolen motorcycles hidden in Bangkok. The suspects admitted their role was to collect and store the vehicles before handing them over to financiers, earning about 3,000 baht per bike.
On 31 March 2026, police arrested a fourth suspect, Suthat, 26, alias “Long”, in Bang Bua Thong district while he was dismantling motorcycle parts. He confessed to being part of the network, which carried out thefts in multiple areas.
Mobile phone evidence revealed plans to intensify thefts during the Songkran period. Police said the network operated in several provinces, including Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Chonburi, and is believed to have stolen nearly 100 motorcycles. The vehicles were stored temporarily before being smuggled via border routes in Ubon Ratchathani province and sold for between 17,000 and 30,000 baht each.
The suspects face charges of joint theft at night using vehicles. Police have warned motorcycle owners to remain vigilant, particularly during Songkran, when thefts tend to rise. All suspects have been handed over to investigators for legal proceedings, while efforts continue to track down remaining members of the network.
