Owner tracks stolen car by GPS, crashes into alleged thief in roadside confrontation

2026-02-11 - 09:46

KORAT — A 61-year-old man in Nakhon Ratchasima rammed his vehicle into a suspected car thief after tracking his stolen pickup truck via GPS, but the suspect managed to flee. The incident occurred in Ban Tha Yiam village, Kut Bot subdistrict, Soeng Sang district, on 11 February. Kuekrit Suetrong said he discovered his Ford pickup missing from in front of his home at around 5am. Initially believing his son had taken the vehicle to work, he later realised it had been stolen after confirming all family members were still at home. Using the vehicle’s GPS tracker, he found the pickup moving about seven kilometres away. He and his son drove to track it down and eventually located it parked along a main road, where a man was allegedly changing the licence plates. Kuekrit said he attempted to ram the suspect’s vehicle to stop him but hesitated to confront the man directly, unsure whether he was armed and noting the area was isolated. The suspect escaped unharmed. He said he recognised the suspect as a former customer who had stayed at his resort several times and had presented himself as a friendly acquaintance. Kuekrit was able to recover his pickup truck. A motorcycle believed to have been stolen and used in the theft was also found at the scene. He has filed a complaint with Soeng Sang police. Officers said they have identified the suspect and are working to apprehend him.