Man Claims He Climbed 25-Metre Sign for Safety, Police Suspect Theft Attempt

Picture from responders.

In the early hours of January 20, local police from Chaiyaphruek Police Station responded to a report of a suspicious man believed to be attempting theft at a shopping mall on Ratchapruek Road, Bang Phlap, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi.

At approximately 01:30, officers arrived at the scene to find a Yamaha red-and-black motorcycle parked beneath a 25-metre-high sign. Next to the motorcycle were two fertiliser bags, and the gate leading to the sign had been forced open, with its padlock cut. Inside, police discovered a pair of bolt cutters.

After inspecting the sign, officers spotted a man atop the structure. They spent 20 minutes negotiating with him before he agreed to climb down.

The man, identified as 27-year-old Mr. Tontrakarn from Suphanburi Province, told police that he had no intention of theft. He explained that he had been unemployed since the New Year and had recently quarrelled with a contractor he had been working for. As a result, he decided to return to his hometown in Suphanburi.

During his journey, he stopped to rest near the mall and admitted to cutting the gate’s padlock and climbing up the sign to sleep. He claimed he did so out of fear of being electrocuted by the wires on the ground, which he perceived as a safety risk. He denied any plans to commit theft.

Despite his explanation, police were sceptical and took Mr. Tontrakarn into custody for further questioning.

Mall staff reported that after closing for the night, security personnel noticed the suspiciously parked motorcycle and found the gate’s padlock had been cut. Bolt cutters were also found inside. CCTV footage showed Mr. Tontrakarn entering the premises, cutting the lock, and climbing the sign.

Police have yet to confirm whether anything has been stolen. However, they suspect Mr. Tontrakarn intended to steal copper wiring or lightning conductors but climbed the sign when security was alerted to him being there. Further investigations are underway.

-- 2025-01-21