Police have detained a 27-year-old man who set fire to an ATM, claiming he wanted to go to jail to protest against his pregnant girlfriend after they argued and she challenged him. He initially planned to rob a gold shop but changed his mind because it was late.
On 22 Aug 2026, around midnight, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wanchai Prathom, acting deputy superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division at Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station, along with Police Captain Phatthana Rangfak, led officers to detain Mr. Natthawat, 27, who set fire to a bank ATM in front of Wisdom Auto Parts Factory on Suwinthawong Road, inbound to Mueang Chachoengsao District, Moo 5, Wang Takhian Subdistrict, Chachoengsao Province.
Upon arrival, officers found flames fiercely burning the ATM. Security guards at the factory attempted to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers but were unable to control the rapidly spreading flames. Firefighters from the Wang Takhian Subdistrict Administrative Organization arrived and worked together to put out the fire.
When questioned, Mr. Natthawat, appearing dazed, said he had hired a ride via an app from Bangkok to visit Luang Pho Chet, the abbot of Wat Thawil Sinmongkhon, located not far from the scene. After seeing the monk, he sat down in front of the factory to rest, then called his girlfriend, who is currently pregnant.
During their conversation, they argued, and his girlfriend challenged him, saying she wanted him to go to jail. In response, he decided to protest by committing the act. Before starting the fire, he collected trash from a nearby bin and piled it inside the ATM, then used a lighter he was carrying to ignite the fire, causing intense flames.
Mr. Natthawat also stated that he had previously considered robbing a gold shop but changed his mind due to the late hour, so he chose to burn the ATM instead, claiming he wanted to commit the act because he wanted to go to jail.
Initially, police searched him and found no drugs but did find a lighter and a pipe used for smoking drugs. They will take Mr. Natthawat to Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station to calm down, conduct a urine test for drugs, and interrogate him further. Authorities will gather evidence and proceed with legal action.