Nonthaburi cable theft suspect crushed by floodlight

Police in Nonthaburi are investigating the death of a man believed to have been stealing electrical cable beneath a Highway 345 flyover in Bang Bua Thong. Officials suspect a large floodlight fell from a 30-metre lighting pole and crushed him after its supporting cable was cut.

Bang Bua Thong police, Ruamkatanyu Foundation rescue workers and a forensic duty doctor attended the scene in Lahan subdistrict at 5pm on 21 September, after a member of the public reported finding a body.

The man, estimated to be about 40 years old, had been dead for around two days, according to the preliminary examination. He was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and black tracksuit trousers, and had a head wound.

Tools and cut cables found beside body

Police found a cloth bag containing wire cutters, screwdrivers, a head torch and a crowbar beside the body. A pile of cut steel cable was also found nearby.

The body was at the foot of the lighting pole, where the fallen lamp unit was also lying. The dead man was initially thought by a local vendor to have been electrocuted, but highway officials said the electricity cables on that pole had already been stolen previously.

Virachai Anthachai, 63, who sells grilled chicken with his wife near the scene, said he had been resting there during the day when he felt as if a spirit had touched his leg. He then walked into an area he had not previously explored and found the body, initially believing it was an electrical worker.

He ran to get a friend, who called police.

Road authority reports widespread thefts

Sittichai Saraprom, head of the Bang Bua Thong Highway District, said officials believe the man had been cutting the supporting cable when the heavy lamp assembly came down on him.

He said thieves generally cut electrical cable to strip out copper and remove components from lamp units for resale. At least 10 lighting poles in the district have already had cable stolen, with police reports filed in an effort to identify those responsible.

The theft problem also affects roadside and central-reservation lighting poles, Sittichai said. The department has moved some wiring higher up poles after underground cables were repeatedly stolen.

Drainage channels, bridge-edge steel rails and manhole covers have also been taken, he added. Anyone seeing a theft in progress can contact the Department of Highways hotline on 1586.

Police photographed the scene and questioned Highway Department staff. The body was sent by Ruamkatanyu Foundation workers to the Central Institute of Forensic Science for a post-mortem examination and identification.

Pictures courtesy of kaoded

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23 September 2026