Investigators from Taling Chan Police Station apprehended a thief who cut copper wires from the "Red Line" train to sell at 400 baht per kilogram, also prosecuting the scrap dealer. The suspect claimed that while committing the crime, he was only 20 meters from a security guard who ignored him. The money earned was used to buy alcohol and methamphetamine. This happened seven times.
From August to the present, criminals have been cutting wires along the Red Line train route, between Bang Bamru and Taling Chan stations, causing operational problems. The train management was troubled by these incidents, fearing passenger safety risks, and filed complaints at Bang Phlat and Taling Chan Police Stations. Pol. Col. Kulsat Bangpran, Deputy Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 7, ordered Pol. Col. Monchai Arunsongdee, Superintendent of Taling Chan Police, along with investigators, to quickly apprehend the suspects due to public disturbance. The Taling Chan investigative team has been continuously tracking the suspects.
At 10:30 a.m. on 10 Sept 2023, Pol. Lt. Col. Pongthawat Kongsue, Deputy Chief Investigator of Taling Chan Police, with Pol. Lt. Col. Akkarachai Chomchuen and Pol. Lt. Col. Kosol Yomsrikhen, and the investigative team, reviewed CCTV footage tracing the suspects’ escape routes. They jointly arrested Manoch (aka Wao), 47, from Nakhon Nayok Province, and Komsan (aka Long), 38, on charges of theft and receiving stolen goods. Seized evidence included about 10 kg of silver-colored wire coils, one wire cutter, one utility knife, and a black Honda Wave motorcycle (license plate KOK 330 Kanchanaburi) used in the crimes. The suspects were caught at an unnumbered house on Soi Ratchaphruek 26, Taling Chan district, Bangkok.
In interrogation, Manoch said he knew Komsan as they used methamphetamine together. After spending their money on drugs, they sought easy income. Manoch noticed the Red Line train wires lying on the ground, borrowed a neighbor’s motorcycle, and used wire cutters to cut the wires into sacks. They only committed the crimes during daytime. He said they were only 20 meters from a security guard at the time, who paid no attention. They then stripped the copper to sell to a scrap dealer along the railway road in Taling Chan at 400 baht per kilogram. Each theft yielded about 3–4 kg of copper. The money was spent on alcohol and methamphetamine. They had committed this seven times without considering the damage caused.
Authorities then seized a large amount of copper wire from the scrap dealer’s shop along the railway road and prosecuted the owner for operating a scrap business without a license.
A background check revealed both suspects had links to drug offenses. They were taken with the evidence to the Taling Chan Police for legal action.