Romantic Stunt Gone Wrong: Man Steals Truck to Impress his Crush

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Khaosod

 

In an unexpected twist of events in Chumphon, a man's ill-fated attempt to woo his long-time crush ended in legal trouble. Mr. Wathana, 32, from Prachuap Khiri Khan province, sought to impress a high school girl by stealing a government vehicle, only to have his plans unravel when the police swiftly apprehended him.

 

The story began when Mr. Prasat, 59, an official from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, left his pickup truck idling at Chumphon City’s railway station to fetch some goods. Upon returning, he discovered the vehicle missing. Fortunately, the truck was equipped with a GPS system, allowing local police to track it quickly.

 

Mr. Wathana's motivations behind the theft were as foolhardy as they were romantic. For three years, he had secretly adored a girl now in the 11th grade, the daughter of a local grocery store owner.

 

Despite frequenting her family's store, he never summoned the courage to declare his feelings. Desperate and unlikely emboldened by four methamphetamine pills, he seized the opportunity to make a grand gesture by absconding with the government pickup.

Having been monitored along the busy Phetkasem Road, law enforcement officers coordinated a swift strategy, notifying checkpoints further along the highway. At about 5:30 p.m., in Bang Saphan Noi district, Wathana's journey was abruptly curtailed near Kiri Lom School.

 

But what drives a man to such impulsive acts? Mr. Wathana owns a six-rai durian orchard but seemed to lack courage in romance, opting instead for a drug-fuelled fantasy of heroism. This rash act of devotion has now left him facing serious charges, including vehicle theft and drug-impaired driving.

 

Aside from the legal repercussions—a court hearing likely to follow—this episode raises poignant questions about the lengths to which people might go in pursuit of love. Transporting stolen government property is a severe offence, carrying heavy penalties and fines in Thailand, potentially totalling up to ฿40,000 (approximately £900) for theft alone.

 

The tale is a cautionary reminder of the thin line between romantic ambition and reckless folly. For Mr. Wathana, the lofty aim of capturing a young woman's heart collided disastrously with the reality of the law, teaching a costly lesson that admiration cannot be fuelled by crime and misconduct, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2025-01-17

 

 

[GinBoy2]

Apart from stealing a truck, the fact thats he's 32 and his love interest was, what 16, be enough to through the book at him!

 

Maybe I'm just showing my Western moral judgmental side, this is Thailand after all

[Tropicalevo]

4 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

Apart from stealing a truck, the fact thats he's 32 and his love interest was, what 16, be enough to through the book at him!

 

Maybe I'm just showing my Western moral judgmental side, this is Thailand after all

 

Try telling that one to all of the foreigners that have  (much younger) Thai girlfriends.

Age is just a number.

At 16, I was a part-time professional dancer with many older girlfriends. (28 years old was the record.)

16 in Thailand is old enough - with permission.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

At 16, I was a part-time professional dancer with many older girlfriends. (28 years old was the record.)

Just because you did it, doesn´t mean it´s generally okay. It´s still same stupid and morally wrong.

The guy should be jailed both for stealing a truck and for the relationship with a minor. +Add 3 year more for stupidity. 

[black tabby12345]

Do they call it Romantic Stunt?

I simply name it An Act of Idiocy.

That 32 YO, just another Grown-Up Child.

 

Act like an idiot, treated like an idiot...

[hotchilli]

The girl had a lucky escape... and didn't even know it.

[mran66]

Must indeed be on drugs to believe that can impress someone with a pickup. 

[BritScot]

7 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Try telling that one to all of the foreigners that have  (much younger) Thai girlfriends.

Age is just a number.

At 16, I was a part-time professional dancer with many older girlfriends. (28 years old was the record.)

16 in Thailand is old enough - with permission.

No! You will find it's 19 years old! 16 and the parents say no or decide they want a money, or the girl has second thoughts a few days later you are in serious trouble. 

[Briggsy]

That doesn't look like the Phetkasem highway.

[watchcat]

23 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

16 in Thailand is old enough - with permission.

 

But no one you want to hang around with at the age of 32. She's just a kid with interest like other kids have.

[Bundooman]

On 1/17/2025 at 4:03 AM, GinBoy2 said:

Apart from stealing a truck, the fact thats he's 32 and his love interest was, what 16, be enough to through the book at him!

 

Maybe I'm just showing my Western moral judgmental side, this is Thailand after all

Yes, Grade 11 is usually between 16 years old or 17.

Either way, she is under the age of consent.

Whatever, he's blown it!

[BangkokReady]

On 1/17/2025 at 4:03 AM, GinBoy2 said:

Apart from stealing a truck, the fact thats he's 32 and his love interest was, what 16, be enough to through the book at him!

 

And the "crush" apparently started when he was 29 and she was 13...  😬

 

I think the guy's probably mentally ill, TBH.

[BangkokReady]

On 1/17/2025 at 10:18 AM, Gottfrid said:

Just because you did it, doesn´t mean it´s generally okay. It´s still same stupid and morally wrong.

The guy should be jailed both for stealing a truck and for the relationship with a minor. +Add 3 year more for stupidity. 

 

The only saving grace for this guy is the fact that this is probably all in his head and the girl doesn't even know he exists.