Thai man breaks legs fleeing hospital cable theft

2026-02-23 - 05:23

TRANG — 22 February 2026, A 43-year-old man suspected of cutting and stealing electrical cables from Trang Hospital was seriously injured after crashing his motorcycle into a shrine sign while fleeing security guards. Police at Mueang Trang Police Station said they were alerted at about 23:00 that a theft suspect had crashed into a concrete base and metal pole at the entrance sign to the Phra Phikanet shrine in the Thai Samut housing estate on Huai Yot Road in Thap Thiang subdistrict, Mueang Trang district. Authorities found an orange Honda Click Play motorcycle with Trang registration plates damaged after striking the shrine’s concrete base. Bolt cutters were discovered inside the vehicle. The rider, identified as 43-year-old Weerapong Singkaew, a resident of tambon Na Ta Luang in Mueang Trang district, was found nearby. He had suffered fractures to both legs as well as head and body injuries. Rescue workers provided first aid before taking him to Trang Hospital for treatment. Hospital security guards said they had been conducting a routine patrol when they discovered a power outage near a shallow well used as part of the hospital’s utilities system. After contacting an electrician to investigate, they found electrical cables had been cut and some lengths coiled in a pile, suggesting deliberate removal. Guards lay in wait and later saw the suspect park his motorcycle and collect the bundled cables, wrapping them in a large quilt before loading them onto the vehicle. When security officers identified themselves and attempted to detain him, he sped off with the cables. Security staff pursued him while coordinating with police. During the chase, the suspect allegedly drove against traffic and circled through several roads. Guards said he appeared to taunt them and at one point threw the bundled cables onto the roadside. The pursuit ended when the man attempted to turn into a side street but lost control and crashed into the base of the shrine sign, suffering injuries. Officials later recovered the discarded cables, along with a headlamp found among the pile. Trang Hospital authorities said they are compiling evidence and coordinating with investigators to file a formal complaint. The suspect faces charges of theft of state property and related offences under Thai law.