Songkran Techanarong led a team to dismantle a gang stealing cable and wires, causing damage exceeding 10 million baht. The investigation expanded to arrest scrap metal dealers involved in receiving stolen copper.
At 07:00 on 9 June 2026, Pol. Lt. Col. Wichanon Bophimai, Deputy Investigation Chief of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Songkran Techanarong, Deputy Investigation Chief of the same department, and Pol. Lt. Col. Somporn Thongpradap, Inspector of the Investigation Division 3, Region 3 Police, led a team of investigators to conduct a raid targeting a network suspected of stealing wires from mobile phone signal poles in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
The first location searched was a government-subsidized housing unit in Naklang Subdistrict, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima. They found Mr. Thanawut, nicknamed “Yong,” from Sisaket Province. Inside the house, authorities discovered numerous wire scraps, as well as tools and equipment used for cutting wires. They also found five methamphetamine tablets and drug paraphernalia, which were seized as evidence, and Mr. Thanawut was taken into custody for prosecution.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had been roaming to steal cables from mobile phone signal poles of TrueMove H network across several areas. The crimes occurred repeatedly from early 2026 until now, totaling over 70 incidents, disrupting communication systems and causing damages valued at more than 10 million baht.
Following the house search, authorities expanded their investigation to a scrap metal shop located along Mittraphap Road in Sung Noen Subdistrict, Sung Noen District. Evidence of financial transactions and money transfers clearly linked the shop to the suspects. The shop was found to purchase copper stripped from wires before reselling it in Bangkok. Authorities arrested those involved under warrants for further interrogation.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wichanon Bophimai, Deputy Investigation Chief of Nakhon Ratchasima Police, stated that this operation resulted from continuous investigations after receiving complaints from victims about frequent wire thefts from mobile signal poles, which significantly affected public communication services.
Currently, authorities are gathering additional evidence to further investigate accomplices and others involved. They plan to request court warrants to arrest operators or individuals suspected of receiving stolen goods.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wichanon warned all scrap metal dealers to thoroughly verify the origin of items brought for sale, especially copper, wires, or materials with a high risk of being connected to crimes. If suspicious behavior is detected, dealers should immediately inform the police to avoid becoming accomplices. In this case, authorities believe the scrap dealers were likely aware of the origins of the goods they purchased and are considering strict legal action accordingly.