A homeless married couple sneaked in to steal fresh pork, claiming they were hungry and wanted fried pork. The victim promptly notified police to investigate. Ultimately, the inspector at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya police station sympathized, paying 1,000 baht from his own money and issuing a verbal warning, recording both individuals' records and emphasizing that his actions were based on humanitarian grounds.
On 26 Jan 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Narit Chansoda, an inspector at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station, investigated a theft report within the Luang Pho Kohak community, Village No. 4, Phailing Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, after receiving a notification that someone had stolen food from a refrigerator inside a worker's residence.
At the scene, the suspects were identified as a married couple: Ms. Mali, 43, and Mr. Wichan, 44, along with confiscated items including pork, chicken, fresh eggs, sticky rice, chili, and cooking oil packed in a sack ready for cooking. Both admitted to being homeless, living under a bridge and earning a living by collecting scrap to sell.
Ms. Mali stated that while collecting scrap, she felt the need to urinate and entered the worker's residence bathroom, which was unoccupied. Seeing the refrigerator and feeling hungry, she opened it and took food because she wanted fried pork. She admitted that she usually begged for food at a temple but some days there was no food distributed.
Mr. Thanaphat, 20, the victim, said that while everyone was at work, his boss called to report a theft. He rode a motorcycle back to check and found the couple carrying a sack near the residence. Upon inspection, the items were food taken from the refrigerator. He detained them and reported the incident to the police for investigation.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Narit Chansoda stated that upon questioning, the couple admitted to stealing food to eat but did not intend to resell it. Out of sympathy and recognizing the theft was due to hunger, he decided to pay 1,000 baht from his own money to purchase the confiscated items from the victim, allowing the couple to take the food home. The victim agreed to forgive and not pursue charges.
However, the officers issued a verbal warning to both and recorded their information. They were informed that any repeat offenses would result in legal prosecution.
The reporter noted that during the warning, Police Lieutenant Colonel Narit asked the couple, “Are you hungry? Have you eaten yet?” He also tried to explain to the victim, “I am a police officer and might show leniency because this is a criminal case, but my actions are based on humanitarian principles.” He then gave the couple an additional 100 baht from his own pocket to cover their train fare home.