Picture courtesy of Pattaya News

 

A Bang Lamung resident's goodwill nearly backfired when the homeless man he sheltered turned out to be a thief with a stolen motorbike. Suthep Thadyenjai, 39, identified his missing motorbike outside a house after recognising the distinctive scratches and marks.

 

The white Honda Wave i, absent its licence plate, had been stolen from Suthep's relative's home on Sukhumvit Road on May 8. The sighting occurred while he was dropping his son off at school; his son's observation led Suthep to investigate further, confirming the bike's identity. He immediately contacted his family and law enforcement.

 

Police, guided by Suthep and neighbours, arrived at a house belonging to Phairot Rotthaphao, 57, which he used for storage and usually left unlocked. Phairot confessed to providing shelter to Nawee Sripairom, 36, just two days prior, unaware of his criminal past.

 

Nawee, discovered sleeping upstairs after police gained entry with the help of a locksmith, confessed to stealing the motorbike after finding the key left in the ignition. Recently released from prison, Nawee was jobless and homeless, viewing the theft as an opportunity.

 

Phairot admitted Nawee had attempted to sell him the stolen bike for 500 baht, raising his suspicions. Nawee, a stranger to Phairot at the time, had previously only been spotted delivering or collecting one of Phairot's former staff members.

 

Nawee was promptly arrested and is now facing legal proceedings. Phairot narrowly escaped legal trouble himself, having learned a cautionary tale about misplaced trust and the risks of good intentions in distressing situations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-15

 

 

No good deed goes unpunished!

The "Good Samaritan" may have known a lot more than he was letting on.