Police from Nang Rong Police Station arrested a 58-year-old man after he attempted to break into a Government Savings Bank ATM located in front of a supermarket but failed to take any money. The suspect confessed, claiming it was a momentary impulse and he stopped halfway when he sobered up. Police were skeptical; upon checking his record, they found he had previously taken part with accomplices in robbing a bank cash transport van of 16.9 million baht in 2010 in Bangkok.
On 17 February 2026, it was reported that a suspect had broken into a Government Savings Bank ATM at the Taweekij branch in Ban Nong Bot subdistrict, Nong Bot subdistrict, Nang Rong district, Buriram province, using an angle grinder during the early hours of 11 February 2026. Although no money was stolen, the ATM sustained damage.
Subsequently, Pol. Col. Anon Lekdee, Chief of Nang Rong Police Station, instructed the investigative team to expedite capturing the suspect due to the brazen nature of the crime. Surveillance footage revealed the suspect used a gray Isuzu pickup truck, later identified as having license plate number WOH 458 Bangkok.
Authorities then arrested Mr. Sitthichai, also known as Noi Saenka-nueng, 58, a resident of Nong Bot subdistrict, Nang Rong district, Buriram province. Initially, Sitthichai denied being the person in the surveillance footage, but after being presented with multiple pieces of evidence, he confessed to committing the crime.
Sitthichai explained that at about 11:00 p.m., he left his home to buy alcohol because he had run out. Most stores were closed, but when he passed the Taweekij store, he saw two unattended ATMs lined up. He then parked his vehicle and used available tools to break into the machines.
After about 30 minutes of attempting to break into the ATM without success, he began to sweat and sober up. Realizing his actions were wrong, he stopped and drove home. He said it was a momentary impulse, not a premeditated crime.
In an interview, Pol. Col. Anon Lekdee stated that upon reviewing Sitthichai's background, it was found he had previously committed a robbery with two accomplices of a cash transport van in Prawet district, Bangkok, in 2010, stealing over 16.9 million baht in cash. Further in-depth investigation will determine if Sitthichai has committed similar offenses elsewhere. No charges have been filed yet, and as the bank has insurance, there is currently no clear victim.