Bangkok Cabinet Thieves Arrested After Massive Internet Outage
Bangkok police have arrested two men responsible for a series of daring thefts that crippled internet services across the capital, affecting hospitals, government offices, and entire communities. The suspects, identified as 43-year-old Wirat and 29-year-old Jongrak, were apprehended on July 24 at a house in Soi Kamnan Maen 5 in the city’s Chom Thong district.
The arrests followed an intensive months-long investigation into a wave of thefts that began in May. According to Police Major General Napasin Poonsawat, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, the suspects were behind at least 29 separate cases across 21 different police precincts. The primary targets were roadside Internet distribution cabinets operated by the National Telecommunications Public Company Limited (NTPLC).
“These cabinets provided critical Internet access to hospitals, government offices, and residential areas,” said Pol. Maj. Gen. Napasin. “Each cabinet served a radius of about two square kilometers. Their removal disrupted vital services, including hospital data systems and communication infrastructure.”
The damage caused by the thefts has been estimated at more than 10 million baht. Investigators say the disruption severely delayed medical services in several hospitals, hampered administrative operations, and caused widespread frustration among the public.
A major breakthrough in the investigation came when NTPLC officials collaborated with police to trace network outage patterns linked to the thefts. Their combined efforts eventually led officers to the suspects’ hideout in Chom Thong, after first tracing them to Soi Bang Khae 14, near the Thongphum 2 village entrance.
Upon raiding the house, officers discovered a cache of stolen items, including fiber-optic and copper cables, dismantled cabinet parts, electronic devices, and tools used in the thefts. Both suspects were taken into custody for interrogation.
Wirat later confessed to impersonating a nighttime repair technician. He used road cones, flashlights, and signal lights to create the illusion of legitimate telecom maintenance work while he and his partner cut into and removed the cabinets.
“I dismantled the parts and sold them for around 2,000 baht each,” he allegedly told police. “I needed the money to support my family.”
Authorities also confirmed that both men have prior criminal records involving drug-related offenses and theft. They are now facing multiple charges, including theft and receiving stolen property involving public infrastructure—offenses aggravated by being committed at night and with the use of a vehicle.
Police Major General Chotiwat Lueangwilai, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, confirmed that the suspects have been handed over to investigators at Phetkasem Police Station. He added that the investigation is ongoing, with officers working to determine whether other individuals were involved in the wider criminal operation.
The thefts sparked public outrage, especially among hospital staff and patients who experienced delays and disruptions due to the sudden loss of internet connectivity. NTPLC representatives have stated they are working to restore services to affected areas and are implementing new security measures to prevent future incidents.
Police have urged the public to report any suspicious activity near telecom infrastructure and vowed to bring all those involved in the theft ring to justice.
