A man climbed a communication tower to evade arrest after stealing copper from an M6 motorway utility pole. Despite enduring more than five hours of intense heat, heavy rain, and strong winds, he refused to come down. His mother’s attempts to persuade him failed as he remained afraid of being caught.
Police officers from Sikhiu Police Station received a report of a person climbing a communication tower near Ban Don Wua, Village No. 10, Lat Buakhao Subdistrict, Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. They informed Police Colonel Thatchaphon Chinwong, the station chief, and rescue team Huk 31, who rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, they found a man, identified as Mr. Somsak, 32, climbing high on the communication tower. Officers continuously tried to persuade him to come down, but he refused.
At that time, the weather was extremely hot, then turned to heavy rain with strong gusts of wind, visibly exhausting the man. However, he remained standing firm and refused to descend from the tower.
Later, rescue workers brought in the man’s mother to help negotiate. Despite her efforts, he continued to show fear because he admitted to stealing copper from the utility poles along the M6 motorway project and feared arrest and prosecution if he came down.
Authorities prepared to place a large air cushion below the tower to catch him in case of an emergency, as the man began to show signs of weakness and there were concerns for his safety.
The man climbed the communication tower around 1:00 p.m. and remained there until 5:00 p.m., totaling over five hours without surrendering to police. Officials continue to negotiate persistently to safely resolve the situation.