Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Bangkok Metropolitan Police have arrested two key figures behind a major motorcycle theft ring operating in the Thonburi area, who had been repeatedly involved in criminal activity despite previous arrests.

 

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Division 8 apprehended 55-year-old Mr. Pongchaiwara, known by the alias “Jeab Kang”, and 47-year-old Mr. Khwanchai, alias “Nueng Rimnam”, at a residence in Soi Phetkasem 28, Phasi Charoen District. The arrests followed an investigation into a wave of motorcycle thefts in Bangkok’s Thonburi area and nearby districts.

 

The operation, led by senior police commanders Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom and Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachet Bundit, was the result of weeks of surveillance and intelligence-gathering. Officers discovered that the two suspects were at the heart of a syndicate that specialised in stealing motorcycles, altering identification numbers, and smuggling the vehicles across the border into Laos.

 

Seized at the scene were two unregistered Honda Wave 125i motorcycles with tampered vehicle and engine numbers, a metal grinder, a full set of number stamping tools, destroyed and replacement ignition parts and two mobile phones.

 

Mr. Pongchaiwara confessed to purchasing the stolen bikes for 23,000 baht each from a third party known as “Boy”. He then used the equipment to grind off original serial numbers and re-stamp them to match forged documentation, repainting the vehicles to appear legitimate. His accomplice, Mr. Khwanchai, admitted to replacing damaged ignition components, preparing the bikes for resale across the Lao border.

 

On 29 May at 15:30, the police team witnessed both men working together on two recently stolen motorcycles at the property. Suspicious behaviour prompted officers to act swiftly, discovering clear evidence of serial number tampering and dismantled components.

 

The suspects reportedly operated a well-established supply line to buyers near the Thai-Lao border, with connections in Khong Chiam and Nong Khai. Mr. Pongchaiwara was known within the motorcycle theft underworld as one of the top buyers, paying, above-market prices to secure a steady supply of stolen bikes—especially targeting Honda Wave models, which typically fetched better prices in the illegal market.

 

Police revealed that Mr. Khwanchai had previously been arrested for a similar crime in Bang Yai District in September 2024 and was still facing trial when he was caught again. Both men admitted to regularly handling two to three stolen motorcycles per day, often targeting those without ignition keys.

 

The suspects are now in custody at Phasi Charoen Police Station and face charges of joint theft and receiving stolen property. Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider criminal network linked to cross-border vehicle trafficking.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-06-06

 

 

 

Arrested...again! Yep...someone knows someone..!

Chop their hands off, should put a dent in recidivism.