Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Immigration police in Nong Khai have apprehended three Colombian nationals suspected of stealing valuables from a housing estate in Pathum Thani province, as they attempted to flee the country via a natural border crossing into Laos.

 

The arrests took place around 10:30 on 7 April, following coordinated efforts between the Nong Khai Immigration Investigation Unit and local police investigators. Acting on intelligence from Region 1 Provincial Police, authorities tracked the suspects to a tuk-tuk travelling from the Nong Khai bus terminal toward Tha Bo district, a known route for illegal border crossings.

 

Officers stopped the tuk-tuk near Nong Khai Vocational College and detained the three men, who matched descriptions of the wanted suspects. They were found purchasing bottled water at a roadside shop when officials approached and demanded identification.

 

Upon inspection, the suspects produced passports consistent with arrest warrants issued by the Pathum Thani Provincial Court. Immigration records revealed the men had exited Thailand legally via the Nong Khai border on 20 March, but had no record of re-entry, confirming they had returned to the country through illegal means.

 

A search of their belongings uncovered a number of high-value items believed to have been stolen during the Pathum Thani burglary. The suspects were unable to provide a credible explanation for the origin of the items, prompting authorities to seize the goods for further legal proceedings.

 

Through an interpreter, the men admitted to having entered Thailand via an unauthorised natural crossing and acknowledged their intention to flee back into Laos with the stolen goods.

 

Pol Col Noppadol Rakchat, Superintendent of Nong Khai Immigration, confirmed that the arrests were in line with the Royal Thai Police’s intensified crackdown on foreign nationals involved in cross-border crimes and unauthorised entry.
 

The three suspects face charges for illegal entry and theft, and will be transferred to investigating officers in Pathum Thani for prosecution.

 

 

-- 2025-04-08

 

 

 

Colombian house breaking gangs are not a new thing in Thailand.  Over the last 15 years, several such gangs were busted in the Pattaya area.  

They scope-out housing estates, earmarking houses where the owners are away for extended periods, then show up with trucks and fake documents authorizing the "move" and literally clean the houses out of everything.  It seems there is a huge market for used household goods in Central and South America.  The stolen goods go directly from truck to container to S. America.

Do Colombians only get 15 days? 

9 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

Do Colombians only get 15 days? 

They will be getting 15 years, 

14 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

They will be getting 15 years, 

 

Not once the police station dining area is stocked with toasters, coffee machines and wide screen TVs. 

Was Columbians before doing this and from what I remember there was a group that went to the UK to target footballers homes.

Guess drug dealing doesn't pay as well as is made out 😀

1 hour ago, phil2407 said:

Do Colombians only get 15 days? 

I hope they get 15 months

3 hours ago, phil2407 said:

Do Colombians only get 15 days? 

I Hope They get 15 Years !!

5 hours ago, dddave said:

Colombian house breaking gangs are not a new thing in Thailand.  Over the last 15 years, several such gangs were busted in the Pattaya area.  

They scope-out housing estates, earmarking houses where the owners are away for extended periods, then show up with trucks and fake documents authorizing the "move" and literally clean the houses out of everything.  It seems there is a huge market for used household goods in Central and South America.  The stolen goods go directly from truck to container to S. America.

That is Way way out there. hahaha. Shipping furniture to Colombia... Really.

I'm in Colombia now. Double pricing is about like Thailand. Gringo's stand out here and are an easy mark for the same scams in Thailand. I like it because of the breath taking nature. Thailand was stripped of Nature years ago. Clean air. Colombia is becoming the hot tourist destination Thailand was 30-40 years ago. And, I hate to see it. But, I am taking advantage of it until it gets taken over.. like Thailand.

I do miss the shopping in Thailand. BKK is off the charts.

13 hours ago, phil2407 said:

Do Colombians only get 15 days? 

 

Not sure but that's what they should give Chinese people.

 

On 4/8/2025 at 4:13 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Immigration police in Nong Khai have apprehended three Colombian nationals suspected of stealing valuables from a housing estate in Pathum Thani province, as they attempted to flee the country via a natural border crossing into Laos.

 

The arrests took place around 10:30 on 7 April, following coordinated efforts between the Nong Khai Immigration Investigation Unit and local police investigators. Acting on intelligence from Region 1 Provincial Police, authorities tracked the suspects to a tuk-tuk travelling from the Nong Khai bus terminal toward Tha Bo district, a known route for illegal border crossings.

 

Officers stopped the tuk-tuk near Nong Khai Vocational College and detained the three men, who matched descriptions of the wanted suspects. They were found purchasing bottled water at a roadside shop when officials approached and demanded identification.

 

Upon inspection, the suspects produced passports consistent with arrest warrants issued by the Pathum Thani Provincial Court. Immigration records revealed the men had exited Thailand legally via the Nong Khai border on 20 March, but had no record of re-entry, confirming they had returned to the country through illegal means.

 

A search of their belongings uncovered a number of high-value items believed to have been stolen during the Pathum Thani burglary. The suspects were unable to provide a credible explanation for the origin of the items, prompting authorities to seize the goods for further legal proceedings.

 

Through an interpreter, the men admitted to having entered Thailand via an unauthorised natural crossing and acknowledged their intention to flee back into Laos with the stolen goods.

 

Pol Col Noppadol Rakchat, Superintendent of Nong Khai Immigration, confirmed that the arrests were in line with the Royal Thai Police’s intensified crackdown on foreign nationals involved in cross-border crimes and unauthorised entry.
 

The three suspects face charges for illegal entry and theft, and will be transferred to investigating officers in Pathum Thani for prosecution.

 

 

-- 2025-04-08

 

 

 

What no coke?