Police Arrest Three More Over Hat Yai Flood Beer Theft

Pictures courtesy of CIB

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested three suspects on 22 December, linked to the theft of large quantities of beer during severe flooding in Hat Yai, after video footage of the incident spread widely on social media and triggered strong public reaction. Police recovered a significant amount of stolen alcohol from a private residence, and all suspects now face criminal proceedings.

The arrests were carried out by the Crime Suppression Division under the CIB, working jointly with investigators from Hat Yai Police Station. One male suspect, identified as the driver of the pickup truck seen in the viral footage, was arrested in Mueang district, Surat Thani province. Two female suspects, aged 53 and 80, were later arrested at a house in Thepha district, Songkhla province.

The case originated from a widely shared video clip showing a pickup truck driving through floodwaters to steal multiple crates of beer from an area near Hatyai University in Songkhla province. At the time, the area was experiencing severe flooding that had caused extensive disruption to residents and businesses. The footage prompted widespread criticism, with many accusing the perpetrators of exploiting a natural disaster for personal gain.

Investigators from Crime Suppression Division Sub-Division 6 coordinated with local police to trace the vehicle and identify those involved. After the arrest of the male suspect, police expanded the investigation and searched an unnumbered house in Moo 7, Thepha subdistrict. Inside the property, officers discovered large quantities of beer concealed in a storage room beside the house and inside the home, hidden under sacks and cloth bags to avoid detection.

The seized items included 20 packs of Singha 490ml cans, five trays of Singha 320ml cans, 31 packs and 18 individual cans of Leo 490ml beer, 19 trays of Leo 320ml cans, 31 bottles of Leo 320ml beer, and one mobile phone. Police said images stored on the phone showed the stolen beer at the flooded location where the theft occurred, strengthening the evidence against the suspects.

During questioning, the 53-year-old woman admitted her involvement and confirmed she appeared in the video, but claimed she believed the beer had been abandoned by its owner. The 80-year-old woman denied the allegations, stating she was inside the vehicle but did not get out because of health problems. All three suspects, along with the seized evidence, have been handed over to investigators at Hat Yai Police Station to face charges of theft in a flood-affected area, using a vehicle to facilitate the crime, or receiving stolen property.

Key Takeaways

• Three suspects were arrested after viral footage showed beer being stolen during severe flooding in Hat Yai.

• Police recovered large quantities of Singha and Leo beer hidden inside a house in Songkhla province.

• The suspects have been transferred to Hat Yai Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Original story

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from CIB 2025-12-24