A case involving a mentally ill man stealing Japanese food has the victim determined to pursue full legal action. Meanwhile, the suspect's sister sought bail for her brother and obtained hospital evidence to confirm his illness. Kosalawat, Director-General of the Legal Protection and Assistance Office, regards this as a social issue where families must properly care for patients and offers legal counseling.
In the case of Mr. Yo, 34, a mentally impaired man who stole a food bag hung by a rider on the victim's front door, the victim reported the theft to police. The charge is theft at night using a vehicle, with evidence including a Turbo brand motorcycle and a white plastic bag containing Japanese food. The incident occurred at Yannawa Police Station on the night of 17 Feb.
At the latest update on 19 Feb 2026 at Yannawa Police Station, Police Colonel Phansa Amornapitak, chief of Yannawa Police, stated that the victim insists on pursuing the case to the end. Investigators are preparing to file charges in court. The suspect's sister posted bail for her brother last night and will take him for a psychiatric assessment at Somdet Chaopraya Hospital to obtain a medical certificate confirming his mental condition. So far, no official certificate has been issued; the patient shows mood swings when angry. Meanwhile, investigators will proceed with filing charges as per legal procedures.
Mr. Kosalawat Intujanyong, Director-General of the Legal Protection and Assistance Office (LPAO), commented on the case of a mentally ill man stealing a food bag, leading to a theft charge at night. He said the case can serve as a societal lesson since the offender showed abnormal behavior. It must be verified whether the individual has received treatment and the severity of their condition. Legally, mentally ill patients are exempt from punishment only if they commit offenses without awareness of right or wrong. If they have partial awareness, they remain liable. It must be confirmed whether the patient’s treatment reached the level of total impairment of moral responsibility.
The LPAO director explained that today’s social issues involving individuals harming others fall into two categories: psychosis from drug-induced hallucinations and psychiatric patients. Both require treatment. Cases caused by drug abuse fall under the Narcotics Act for treatment, while psychiatric patients are treated under the Mental Health Act. The treatment methods differ depending on the illness type.
Kosalawat said that if the patient has hospital treatment records, these should be presented to the court to demonstrate the severity of the condition. The LPAO is willing to offer legal advice and prepare court statements if evidence of illness is available. Relatives must take good care of mentally ill patients, not neglect them, and keep them confined to prevent creating social problems.
“In many cases, parents plead with victims not to press charges against mentally ill relatives, but it should not come to that point. If families effectively care for patients and prevent them from causing problems, such incidents can be avoided. Theft cases cannot be settled privately, but the offender may apologize to the victim and present medical evidence. The prosecutor can arrange mediation and submit evidence to request leniency or probation. This is a way the LPAO can assist,” Kosalawat said. . . .
The LPAO director added that during his visit to Somdet Chaopraya Hospital, he found that most psychiatric patients relapse because they do not take medication continuously. Continuous medication prevents symptom flare-ups, and families must help ensure patients adhere to treatment. If mentally ill individuals are found in the community, authorities can be notified to provide treatment under the law. Families with psychiatric patients can call 1157 or consult the nearest LPAO office for advice.