A 73-year-old fish vendor in Bang Len district was deceived out of 980 baht and three grilled fish by a conman who fled on a motorcycle. The incident happened on Monday, leaving the vendor, known as "Uncle Lek," visibly distressed as he realized the man's promise to return was false. Get today's headlines by email Uncle Lek, who operates outside the local post office, was approached by a man claiming to know a post office employee named Sak. The man requested an exchange of 1,000 baht for smaller notes, settling for 980 baht. After taking the cash, he also took three fish worth 120 baht each under the pretense of settling up later. Disguised in a black jacket and helmet, the suspect sped away on his motorbike, leaving Uncle Lek to discover the deception too late. The incident caught the attention of a delivery rider who checked on Uncle Lek after noticing his distress. Police have reviewed CCTV footage for their investigation, endeavoring to identify the suspect. The incident has sparked online sympathy due to the age and vulnerability of the victim, as Uncle Lek's modest income depends heavily on his fish sales. Moving forward, police efforts will focus on gathering more evidence to apprehend the suspect. The case highlights the risks faced by elderly street vendors and the need for community vigilance to protect them from similar schemes, reported Bangkok Post. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Bangkok Post · 17 Mar 2026
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