Suspect Arrested in Phatthalung Durian Theft Campaign
A 46-year-old man was arrested in Phatthalung following a months-long investigation into durian thefts that began in June, with police finding him hiding in a temple storage room.
On September 5, 2569, Phatthalung Provincial Police under the command of Colonel Pathanasak Bubphasuwun led a team to arrest Wisut, nicknamed "One", aged 46, following court warrant number 396/2569 issued on August 25, 2569. He was charged with nighttime theft of agricultural products. He was apprehended in a storage room adjacent to a cremation house bathroom within a temple compound in Moo 6, Donpradoo Subdistrict, Pakpayoon District, Phatthalung Province.
The investigation began on June 12 when local farmers in Pakpayoon District reported thefts of agricultural produce, particularly durian, a high-value crop. Officers launched an investigation and eventually gathered sufficient evidence to obtain a court arrest warrant. Acting on intelligence from undercover operatives, police learned the suspect was hiding and using drugs in the temple storage room and moved in to apprehend him.
A background check revealed the suspect has an extensive criminal record including assault in Surat Thani City Municipality in 2555, drug possession with intent to distribute in Surat Thani City Municipality in 2557, drug use in Hat Yai in 2566, and multiple cases of agricultural theft and drug offenses in Pakpayoon District. During initial questioning, Wisut confessed to all charges. He has been detained and transferred to Pakpayoon Police Station for further legal proceedings.
