Teen Flees Without Paying After Oil Change at Buriram Shop

Security footage clearly captured a teenage motorcyclist who came to an auto repair shop for an engine oil change, then fled without paying, taking five bottles of petrol. Locals sympathize with the shop owner, a 78-year-old working hard to support himself.

The motorcycle repair shop is located in Village 11, Chum Saed Subdistrict, Muang Buriram District, Buriram Province, along the Buriram Hospital to Chum Saed road. Shop owner Thong Lor Ngam Pimolkul, 78, showed reporters CCTV footage and recounted that the incident occurred around 4:23 p.m. on September 23. A male teenager, appearing to be in his 20s or 30s, wearing a red sports shirt and shorts, rode up on a motorcycle and asked for an engine oil change.

The teenager then asked about the price of petrol that Thong Lor was selling in bottles. The shop owner said it was 40 baht per bottle. The young man then grabbed five bottles of petrol for himself, totaling 200 baht.

While changing the engine oil, Thong Lor noticed the teenager seemed suspicious and spotted a bundle of banknotes under the motorcycle seat, but thought nothing of it and continued working normally. Around 4:42 p.m., after finishing the oil change, the teenager pushed the motorcycle out, started the engine, said he wanted to test it, and then suddenly sped off while Thong Lor was putting tools away. The shop owner tried to run and shout after him but failed to stop him.

Thong Lor admitted feeling deeply hurt and distressed. At 78 years old, he relies on this work to feed himself, yet encountered this situation. The losses total five bottles of petrol at 40 baht each (200 baht) plus 180 baht for the oil change service, amounting to 380 baht in total.

The shop owner is preparing to submit CCTV images to track down the teenager and pursue legal action.