Damage exceeding 8 million baht caused widespread outages of streetlights on the Asia Road. Ayutthaya police cracked down on gangs stealing electrical wires and transformers to sell copper, revoked licenses of scrap dealers buying stolen goods, and vowed strict legal action.
On 8 Jul 2026 at the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Police Headquarters, Mr. Chuanin Wongsatitjirakan, Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, together with Police Major General Surawut Saengrungruang, Provincial Police Commander, and Police Colonel Phumithat Khositwanichpong, Deputy Commander,
of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Police jointly held a press conference announcing the arrest of a gang stealing electrical wires and transformers, causing damage to government property and public utilities worth over 8 million baht.
Governor Chuanin Wongsatitjirakan disclosed that over recent months, streetlights along the Asia Road and main and secondary roads in several areas of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province had gone dark over wide areas. Investigation revealed that criminals had been secretly cutting electrical wires and stealing transformers to sell copper and internal parts to scrap dealers. Although the resale value of the seized items was only in the thousands of baht, the damage to state property reached millions, disabling roadside lighting systems and increasing accident risks and public safety concerns.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya police mobilized investigation units continuously, successfully arresting 13 suspects across five police stations: Bang Pahan, Nakhon Luang, Sena, Phra In Racha, and Chang Yai.
The governor stated that the province will now enhance inspections of all scrap dealers. Operators must verify the origin of copper, wires, or materials brought for sale. If there is reasonable suspicion that items are stolen property, they must immediately report to the police.
If investigations confirm that a scrap dealer has purchased stolen property, the province will coordinate with district chiefs, who have licensing authority, to revoke business licenses immediately and prosecute offenders rigorously. This aims to close off channels for criminals to dispose of stolen goods and break the cycle of wire theft in the area.
Authorities also request public cooperation to monitor and report any suspicious persons or vehicles parked along roads, or anyone climbing electrical poles without official or electricity authority identification, so police can promptly inspect and prevent incidents.
Police Major General Surawut revealed a significant case in the Bang Pahan police area where criminals used a pickup truck to steal transformers along Highway 347. They used ladders to climb poles, cut power with tools, then used battery drills to remove transformers, stripping only copper and valuable parts for resale. Police investigations led to the arrest of two suspects.
Investigations also showed that the same suspects previously committed similar wire thefts in the Phra In Racha area, employing the same methods: modified pickup trucks with concealed license plates and commonly available tools to cut power and act quickly before fleeing.
Authorities noted that most suspects had prior records for wire theft and returned to commit offenses again after serving sentences.
Regarding a recent arrest, police apprehended a suspect following a tip from a good citizen to the motorcycle patrol unit of Nakhon Luang police, known as the “Police Knot” influencer patrol. The suspect was found digging near the median of Asia Road at km 27 in Bo Phong subdistrict, Nakhon Luang district. Police discovered about 10 meters of cut wire and tools including crowbars, shovels, and wire cutting equipment. The suspect claimed he was instructed by the highway authority to dig up buried wires. He was taken into custody for legal action, and police are expanding investigations to others involved.