Authorities are urgently searching for a suspect disguised as a patient in a nearby bed who stole 2,000 baht in cash before cutting his own IV line to escape. The suspect has a criminal record and was released earlier this year. The chief of Ban Fang Police Station has ordered a swift manhunt to prosecute him.
A Facebook user posted CCTV footage from a patient room at Ban Fang Hospital capturing a suspect disguised as a fellow patient stealing 2,000 baht in cash from a red bag belonging to another patient. The suspect then returned to his bed, cut his own IV line, and fled with the stolen money. The post included a warning: “Please be alert. This person in the footage is a con artist posing as a patient who stole money from Mr. Chey, another patient. The incident occurred on 2 May 2026 at 23:20. If seen, please inform Ban Fang Police.”
Subsequently, a reporter inquired about the case progress with Pol. Col. Kornpop Netthisong, superintendent of Ban Fang Police Station, who stated that initial reports have been received about the theft at Ban Fang Hospital. On 4 May 2026, investigators at Ban Fang Police Station were notified by the victim, Mr. Chey, that the incident occurred on 2 May 2026 at approximately 23:30.
At that time, Mr. Chey was admitted in the shared patient room at Ban Fang Hospital when a suspect, later identified as Mr. Decha Khan-on, who was also a patient at the same hospital, stole 2,000 baht in cash. CCTV footage served as evidence before the suspect fled the hospital.
Police investigation revealed that Mr. Decha is a local of Ban Fang district but originally from Bang Luang Subdistrict, Lat Lum Kaeo District, Pathum Thani Province. He had been imprisoned at Udon Thani Provincial Prison and was released earlier in 2026. Since then, he had been wandering in nearby areas.
Prior to the incident, Mr. Decha was admitted to Ban Fang Hospital, reporting to doctors that he had been assaulted and sustained a head injury at Bus Terminal No. 3 in Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen Province. He had walked to Ban Fang District and was admitted around 21:00 on 2 May 2026. Doctors administered intravenous fluids and admitted him as an inpatient.
However, while receiving treatment, Mr. Decha seized the opportunity to steal the cash before cutting his own IV line and escaping from the hospital.
Currently, Ban Fang Police are intensifying efforts to track down the suspect and bring him to justice. They urge the public to report any sightings or information about the suspect immediately.