The investigation unit of Mueang Loei Police Station has arrested a hospital employee in Loei who stole medical ventilators and sold them on the black market, causing losses worth several million baht. The suspect initially claimed to have acted alone due to financial difficulties. Authorities are urgently expanding the investigation to identify those who bought the stolen items.
In the case involving Mr. Chinawat Chatraksa, 30, an employee at Loei Hospital, who stole 35 ventilators from the hospital and sold them on the black market in Bangkok and Khon Kaen, the thief also discarded metal trolley legs in four river locations. Police have recovered 19 ventilators so far.
At 11:00 a.m. on 19 Mar 2026 GMT+7, police at Mueang Loei Station received reports from villagers who found stolen metal trolley legs dumped near the Huai Bang Ting bridge behind Ban Laeng Kwai School, Na An Subdistrict, Mueang Loei District. Two sets were found—one on the ground and one hanging from a tree. Rescue workers retrieved and handed over 21 trolley legs from four locations to investigators as evidence, with three legs still missing.
Later, a man and woman traveled from Bangkok with a legal representative from Loei Hospital and returned two ventilators to the hospital, expressing their innocence but declined to give interviews.
Additionally, some buyers of ventilator equipment from Facebook pages and the black market have contacted Loei Hospital and Mueang Loei Police to return the items, stating they were unaware the goods were stolen. Among these buyers are government officials, medical personnel, rescue workers, and emergency responders.
Meanwhile, at Mueang Loei Police Station, Pol. Maj. Gen. Weeradej Lekhaworakul, Commander of Loei Provincial Police, Pol. Col. Worachai Bangyikan, Chief of Mueang Loei Police Station, and Pol. Col. Atsadin Jaknorawan, Chief of Loei Provincial Police Investigation Division, reported that investigation teams arrested Mr. Chinawat, the hospital employee, at his home in Huai Som Subdistrict, Phu Kradueng District, Loei. He was brought in for questioning and further investigation at the police operations center without media access.
Initially, Mr. Chinawat confessed to acting alone, saying he stole ventilators due to financial need. He used a sedan to transport the stolen goods and advertised them for sale on social media pages.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Weeradej Lekhaworakul stated that the investigation teams from Loei Provincial Police and Mueang Loei Police Station have arrested the suspect and are expanding the inquiry. The suspect admitted to theft due to financial hardship. It is suspected that others may have been involved. The investigation into buyers is ongoing; those found complicit will face legal action, while those not involved must provide evidence of their innocence.