Noodle Vendor Loses 600K Baht to Tent Thief
A noodle vendor lost over 600,000 baht in gold and cash after a thief slashed into her tent at a night market in Nonthaburi on July 26. Police are searching for a tall man in his 30s-40s with long hair caught on CCTV during the early mornin
A 44-year-old noodle vendor named Vilawan from Bang Rakam District, Phitsanulok Province, was left in tears after a thief slashed into her tent and stole over 600,000 baht in gold and cash from her makeshift home at the Walking Street night market in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong District on July 26 at around 6 a.m. The stolen items included 7 baht of gold ornaments, two gold-plated Buddhist amulets, gold necklaces weighing 5 and 2 baht, a Buddha amulet image weighing 1 baht, 70,000 baht in cash, two ATM cards, an ID card, and a motorcycle license.
Vilawan emotionally recounted how she had painstakingly saved money bit by bit over years—collecting 5 to 10 baht at a time—to accumulate her possessions. She expressed devastation over the theft, noting that even basic items like tables took months to acquire through frugal living. She still has debts to settle and shop rental fees pending, but the market organizer, "Khun Thuarae," graciously allowed her to continue selling and postponed payment discussions until later.
After reporting the incident to Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi, Vilawan requested help tracking down the suspect and recovering her belongings. CCTV footage from the market revealed the thief was a tall man in his mid-30s to 40s with long hair, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, black jeans, sneakers, and a face mask, who was surveying shops after closing time.
