Picture courtesy of Workpoint 

 

A house fire in Phrae province on 25 September left a family shaken after 100,000 baht, allegedly hidden behind a wall picture, was reported missing from the burned room. The blaze broke out in the home of 76-year-old Boontan in Ban Pa Daeng, Muang Phrae district and was quickly brought under control by fire crews and neighbours. Police are now investigating both the cause of the fire and the disappearance of the money.

 

Police Lieutenant Panat Tortan, duty investigator at Phra That Cho Hae police station, received the emergency call from village headman Sithipong Modtuk at around 10:00. Fire engines from Cho Hae municipality and Pa Daeng subdistrict joined residents to extinguish the flames at the two-storey home. The fire was in a bedroom used by Boontan’s 45-year-old son, Arthit who away and shares the room with his 16-year-old son, Suphawit.

 

At the time of the incident, Boontan was sitting outside when he smelled smoke and saw it coming from the bedroom. Neighbours quickly rushed in, opening the door to find heavy smoke and flames. They used wet blankets and a fire extinguisher to suppress the fire before municipal crews fully extinguished it.

 

Witness Narumon, a 47-year-old neighbour, said she was among the first to enter and attempted to smother the flames with a soaked blanket. Other residents joined in with additional extinguishers, helping prevent the blaze from spreading further. The bedroom and items near the wall, including a framed picture, were damaged.

 

Later, Suphinnont, Boontan’s 23-year-old grandson, contacted Arthit by video call to update him on the fire. Arthit, who was working in Nan province at the time, asked whether anyone had recovered the 100,000 baht he had hidden behind the wall picture. When checked, the cash was not found, prompting a frantic search by family members and villagers.

 

Initial inquiries suggest the fire may have been triggered by a plugged-in charger or electrical socket left unattended by the 16-year-old. Investigators recorded the scene and secured the area for forensic officers. Police confirmed further questioning will take place once Arthit returns from Nan to clarify the details of the missing money.

 

Authorities said they will continue examining the site to determine whether the blaze was caused by faulty wiring or another source. The police investigation will also establish whether the missing 100,000 baht was destroyed, stolen or misplaced during the incident.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A fire damaged a house in Phrae province on 25 September, starting in a bedroom.

• The homeowner’s son reported 100,000 baht missing, said to be hidden behind a wall picture.

• Police are investigating the fire’s cause and the disappearance of the money.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpointnews 2025-09-27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The problem is thais dont trust banks with their cash especially at the moment this will happen more frequently unfortunately 

1 hour ago, ozz1 said:

The problem is thais dont trust banks with their cash especially at the moment this will happen more frequently unfortunately 

Never mind the Thai banks, that closed our accounts if we didn't have the right VISA or SIM.

 

I don't trust Brit banks either.

Banks are no longer trustworthy worldwide

Much too connected to governments

And your account can be frozen at any moment with you having no recourse in law.

 

Striking Canadian truckers ....... government had banks freeze their accounts, even crypto

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Never mind the Thai banks, that closed our accounts if we didn't have the right VISA or SIM.

 

I don't trust Brit banks either.

Banks are no longer trustworthy worldwide

Much too connected to governments

And your account can be frozen at any moment with you having no recourse in law.

 

Striking Canadian truckers ....... government had banks freeze their accounts, even crypto

 

The crypto should always be kept on a ledger. Cashing out would be a challenge but safe from all prying eyes.

12 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Never mind the Thai banks, that closed our accounts if we didn't have the right VISA or SIM.

 

I don't trust Brit banks either.

Banks are no longer trustworthy worldwide

Much too connected to governments

And your account can be frozen at any moment with you having no recourse in law.

 

Striking Canadian truckers ....... government had banks freeze their accounts, even crypto

American banks insure up to $250k per account. Dont talk to anyone about politics and you should be good