Lampang – In the case of villagers gathering shrimp from a refrigerated pickup truck that crashed off the road at km 640 on the Then–Lampang route, police separated villagers into two groups: those who came to help and the driver's wife, who permitted the damaged shrimp to be taken for consumption; and a second group who took shrimp without the owner's permission, ignoring warnings and prohibitions. Police cautioned that this could lead to serious charges, including nighttime theft, with additional penalties since the offense occurred at the crime scene.
A Facebook user posted a plea for help on a popular Lampang page, summarizing that at 22:54 on 16 March 2016, a friend's vehicle overturned in Then District, Lampang Province. While waiting for insurance, villagers took goods without permission despite prohibitions from the insurance and pleas from the friend. The user lamented the lack of humanity and could only record video as evidence for further action.
The post further expressed disappointment, saying the friend was injured with cuts and bruises, the vehicle damaged, and nearly unable to work, yet still faced this situation where goods were taken openly. A video clip showed villagers gathering shrimp from the scene.
The poster revealed that on the day of the accident, the driver, a 40-year-old man, was transporting over 120 foam boxes of white shrimp, each weighing 10 kg, valued at over 300,000 baht. The refrigerated pickup truck came from Rayong Province, heading to Lamphun Province along Phahonyothin Road, Tak–Then section, at km 640 near the border of Then and Sop Prap districts. The vehicle lost control and veered off the road. The driver sustained head and mouth injuries and bruises, while good Samaritans assisted.
While waiting for insurance to be settled, villagers approached to ask about injuries, but within minutes began collecting the shrimp cargo. Despite objections and requests from the poster, friends, and insurance, no one listened, and all shrimp were taken except for 4 boxes left as a token. The loss exceeded 300,000 baht, but insurance covered only 200,000 baht. The remaining amount must be compensated by the owner. The poster plans to submit all evidence to Then Police Station in Lampang to press charges against those involved.
The poster admitted being shocked and upset by the event, as they did not expect that instead of help, belongings would be taken right before their eyes, despite prohibitions and pleas. This prompted the social media post.
Latest update at 09:30 on 19 March 2016: reporters visited the accident site located on Phahonyothin Road at km 640, Moo 8, Mae Thod Subdistrict, Then District, Lampang. The site is about 1 km from the community. Many broken foam boxes that had contained shrimp were still scattered on the ground.
Regarding the case, Police Colonel Kitti Maleewon, Chief of Then Police Station, Lampang, urgently convened investigation and detective teams due to multiple villagers involved. He explained that shortly after the accident, a small amount of shrimp fell and was slightly damaged. Villagers initially helped, and the driver's wife kindly allowed those who helped to take the damaged shrimp. This led to word spreading, causing many villagers to come and observe. However, when the recovery vehicle lifted the pickup truck from the roadside ditch, the refrigerated container was damaged further, causing many shrimp boxes to fall. Villagers rushed to collect shrimp despite the driver and insurance company’s attempts to stop them, resulting in the scenes seen in the video.
Police divided villagers into two groups: the first group who helped and were permitted by the driver's wife to take the damaged shrimp for consumption,
and the second group who took shrimp without the owner's permission, ignoring warnings. Police have identified about 10–20 villagers involved and have their names. Authorities have coordinated with community leaders to bring these villagers to meet police. Police warn against such actions due to severe penalties, as the theft occurred at night and at the crime scene, which increases the severity of the offense. Police plan to summon the victims to meet investigators this afternoon.
At times, Police Colonel Kitti Maleewon stated that while facts have not been fully verified, about 20 villagers are known to be involved with their identities known. Police are coordinating with community leaders to encourage them to come forward and surrender to demonstrate good faith to investigators.