Authorities have dismantled makeshift shelters at a rural highways barrier storage area in Pathum Thani after reports that people had been using the dark roadside site for sexual encounters.
Used condoms, condom wrappers, lubricant sachets, tissues and water bottles were found scattered around the area near the Department of Rural Roads office on the new Ratchaphruek Road towards Kanchanaphisek Road, in Bang Duea, Mueang Pathum Thani.
The inspection followed online reports describing large quantities of discarded sexual-health products, mosquito-repellent cream and several items of women's underwear at the site. The reports speculated that it had been used as a secret meeting place by people seeking sexual encounters.
Shelters found among concrete barriers
At 8pm on 29 July, Pol Col Wiwat Asawawiboon, superintendent of Mueang Pathum Thani police station, ordered Pol Lt Col Chuchip Ketsakul, the station's operations inspector, to coordinate an inspection.
Bang Duea mayor Suthep Somjai joined patrol officers, village and subdistrict leaders, municipal staff and Department of Rural Roads officials at the barrier storage site.
No vehicles were parked along the road and no gathering was found during the visit. However, officers discovered used condoms, wrappers, lubricant packets and water bottles.
They also found mats laid in gaps between the stored barriers, with materials positioned as screens. In some places, tarpaulins had been arranged as roofs to provide protection from rain and sun. Officers removed and disposed of the items immediately.
Late-night parking raised concerns
Suthep said nobody initially knew what was happening, but officials became suspicious after seeing numerous vehicles parked there late at night.
He said that, about two weeks earlier, he and a village headman saw around 20 cars parked at the site between 11pm and midnight. An engineer from the Department of Rural Roads had previously said staff would be sent to watch the area, after which the vehicles disappeared for a period.
Suthep said the location was difficult to enter at night because adults were afraid of thieves who had targeted electrical cables. On one occasion, he said, officers inspecting the area were fired upon.
He added that moving the barriers or redesigning the area would require substantial funding and cranes, and would not be straightforward. Officials will discuss with the Department of Rural Roads whether the barriers should be removed and how the site can be managed so it does not remain an isolated place vulnerable to drug use or crime.
Police to step up patrols
Pol Lt Col Chuchip said police had previously noticed cars regularly parking there, and that some people had fled to their vehicles when officers approached.
He said senior officers had instructed patrols to intensify random checks to prevent crime and possible drug gatherings. The 29 July inspection took place relatively early in the evening, he said, and the people concerned may not yet have arrived or may have become more cautious following media coverage.
Site cleaned up
On 30 July 2026, Mr Pariwat Rodnuan, Director of the Bangkok and Metropolitan Area Maintenance Division, led more than 10 Department of Rural Roads officials to the site. Using a tractor, they cut down trees and cleared dense vegetation that had created a hidden, overgrown area where climbing plants had completely covered the surroundings.
Mr Pariwat said the operation was intended to open up the area by removing thick undergrowth and trees that obstructed visibility. The aim was to eliminate concealed spaces that could be used for inappropriate gatherings.
He added that the department now plans to allocate a budget to install a fence similar to those used along motorway roads. The barrier will prevent people from entering the site and stop it from being used as a meeting place for such activities in the future.
Pictures courtesy of Khaosod
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30 July 2026
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