Two Young Soldiers Homesick After 18 Days, Desert Camp and Steal Motorbike to Go Home
Two soldiers deserted their military camp after just 18 days, stealing a Vespa scooter to ride home to Nong Khai when they grew homesick and tired of waiting for a bus. Both tested positive for methamphetamine and were arrested in Udon Than
Two conscripted soldiers, having served only 18 days, couldn't bear missing home and deserted their camp to steal a young woman's Vespa scooter, riding it back to their home in Nong Khai. They claimed they were tired of waiting for a bus, which led them to commit the theft. They intended to return the vehicle later. Drug tests came back positive for methamphetamine on May 19, 2025.
Deputy Commander Udom Chok Singhakul of the Nong Sung Sub-Police Station, along with an investigation team, arrested Private Wirasak ("V"), 22, and Private Chaiyawat ("Om"), 20—two conscripted soldiers from a military camp in Udon Thani province. They were caught with the stolen gray Vespa Sprint Justin Bieber x Vespa 150 special edition motorcycle, valued at 181,900 baht and registered in Khon Kaen, as well as a borrowed pink bicycle. CCTV footage showed both suspects in military uniforms committing the theft.
On May 17 at 6:10 PM, the 22-year-old motorcycle owner parked her Vespa with the key in the ignition along Mittraphap Road near a durian shop in Chon Charoenmit, Udon Thani. Two suspects stole the motorcycle and fled toward the city center. The owner chased them and called for help, but couldn't catch up. She filed a complaint at the Nong Sung Sub-Police Station with CCTV evidence showing both perpetrators in military uniforms.
Deputy Commander Udom Chok contacted the soldiers' commanding officers at the military camp, who dispatched an instructor to track them down. The suspects were found at Private Chaiyawat's residence in Fao Rai District, Nong Khai, with the stolen motorcycle. Police also recovered a borrowed bicycle parked about 15 meters from the crime scene.
After fleeing by climbing over the rear fence of the camp, the two soldiers confessed to their actions. Both admitted they volunteered for military service without conscription, at their family's wish to serve the nation. After only 18 days of service, they became homesick and climbed over the rear fence. They borrowed a friend's bicycle from housing behind the camp and rode it to wait for a public bus. Initially planning to go to Private Wirasak's house, they changed their minds and went to Private Chaiyawat's residence instead. After waiting hours for a bus that never came, they spotted the young woman's motorcycle with the key left in and decided to steal it. Private Wirasak started the motorcycle and rode it with Private Chaiyawat while the owner chased after them. They rode the motorcycle back to Private Chaiyawat's home in Fao Rai District, Nong Khai. The next morning, their commanding officer and instructor found them and took them into custody, recovering the stolen motorcycle. Before being detained, both soldiers had consumed two methamphetamine tablets each.
"We apologize to the victim for causing trouble and damaging the reputation of the military," they stated. "We didn't intend to steal, but we missed home so much and waited for the bus for so long that we acted on impulse and stole the motorcycle to ride home. We planned to return it, but our commanding officer caught up with us at home. We promise that after serving our sentence, we will stop using drugs, stop stealing, and return to serve the military and the nation."
After their confessions, police conducted drug tests on both soldiers, which tested positive. They were charged with jointly stealing property using a vehicle.
