Suspected thief arrested in Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok sleeper train

BANGKOK: -- A man was arrested by railway officials after he sneaked into a Bangkok-bound northeastern sleeper train in an attempt to steal valuables from sleeping passengers.

The thievery attempt took place at about 3 am on Tuesday on the Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok express train as it was travelling between See Kiew and Pak Chong stations.

Mr Thanongsak Pongprasert, the train service director, said that the suspected thief, identified later as Pipat Takodom, 19, climbed down from the roof of a sleeper car and used a cutter to slice open rubber seal of a door to unlock the bolt in order to get into the sleeper car.

Coincidentally, Mr Wallop Plienchoey, a railway inspector was inspecting the sleeper car to ensure safety and saw the suspect. So he alerted a railway employee in charge of preparing bedsheets to help catch the suspect.

The suspect who was later handed over to railway police for further questioning reportedly admitted he had committed several thefts on sleeper trains.

Mr Thanongsak said that several companies had shown interest to supply CCTV system to be installed on trains to deter robbery, thefts and other offences which might take place on trains, especially sleeper trains. He expected the system would be available on trains, particularly on Ladies and Chindren cars, in November.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/suspected-thief-arrested-ubon-ratchathani-bangkok-sleeper-train/


-- Thai PBS 2014-08-20

It is nice to read that the railway officials are apparently being more vigilant now, after all the recent bad press.

CCTV will help. I hope it materializes in November.

Hopefully the thief will be charged, for riding without a 3rd-class ticket, on the roof ?

My bet is anyone caught for this type of crime is going to pick up something pretty hefty from the judge, train crimes would be a terrible idea at the moment.

It is nice to read that the railway officials are apparently being more vigilant now, after all the recent bad press.

CCTV will help. I hope it materializes in November.

Like so many others i don't like the idea that I am on CCTV where I may go and it's sad that it has to be accepted in order to ensure security these days BUT accept it I will.

I think everyone should be assigned their own CCTV camera that floats around and follows you everywhere you go...

Then Thailand will be just like the UK and USA...

Edited August 20, 201411 yr by NCC1701A

"used a cutter to slice open rubber seal of a door to unlock the bolt in order to get into the sleeper car."


Personally i would be more concerned being in a locked sleeping car!
Surely if the attendants are paid to work nights staying awake and not sleeping on the job is not beyond them?

Edited August 20, 201411 yr by poohy