A young employee at Loei Hospital tearfully confessed to stealing "ventilator equipment" and selling it. He admitted full responsibility, citing financial difficulties and family hardship, and apologized to the hospital for the damage caused.
On 19 Mar 2026 GMT+7, investigators from Mueang Loei Police Station arrested a Loei Hospital employee after he stole medical ventilators and sold them on the black market, causing over 7.2 million baht in damages. Initially, he claimed he acted alone due to lack of money. Authorities are working to identify those who bought the equipment, as previously reported.
Recently, Mr. Chinawat, 30, a Loei Hospital employee and suspect, confessed he stole the equipment because he was broke. His father is bedridden and blind, his elderly mother struggles to sell goods, and he had pawned his motorcycle for 50,000 baht. Unable to manage finances, he made the wrong choice to steal ventilators from the hospital and sell them via a Bangkok social media page for over 10,000 baht each to support his household. He admitted some gambling but insisted he did not plan to flee. He intended to turn himself in later that day but was arrested at home first.
Mr. Chinawat also apologized to the hospital for the damage caused and fully admitted his guilt. Initially, he was charged with theft from his employer on government property at night.