Sarayut Robbed by Ex-Prison Friend Chai in Rattanathibet

There are friendships made in unlikely places—and then there are betrayals that sting even harder because of where they began. For 44-year-old Thai man Sarayut, a bond forged behind prison walls turned into a startling late-night robbery that left him not only lighter in the wallet but heavier with disappointment.

On Friday, January 2, Sarayut reported to Rattanathibet Police Station that he had been robbed at his home in the early hours of December 29. The amount taken was a modest but meaningful 3,000 baht. What made the theft especially painful wasn’t the sum: it was the face behind it. The suspect, according to Sarayut, was his old prison companion Chai—a man he’d trusted and relied on throughout their sentence.

Their story began in a place few would call hospitable to lasting friendships: the same prison zone. Both men earned a reputation as model inmates and were allowed to work outside the facility, earning wages that they could save. While incarcerated, Sarayut managed to put away roughly 50,000 baht, and Chai had saved about 20,000 baht. When they were released, they didn’t drift apart. Instead, they kept spending time together; Sarayut often picked up the tab for meals and outings, convinced the camaraderie that had seen them through hard times would survive freedom.

Then came the night that severed that belief. Around 1 a.m. on December 29, Sarayut says Chai and two other men entered his home. The trio confronted him and, in a sequence that reads like a tragic fall from grace, Chai allegedly pressed a knife to Sarayut’s throat and demanded his money. Terrified but candid, Sarayut told the police he pleaded for his life and told Chai he only had 3,000 baht in cash; the assailants took that money and fled.

“I never expected this from a friend who supported me in prison,” Sarayut told officers, visibly hurt and betrayed. The emotional weight of the incident—feeling used by someone who once stood by him—outstripped the monetary loss. The story spread quickly on local social media; a photo tied to the incident circulated on a Facebook page called ตรงจุดเกิดเหตุ, adding visual context and fueling community chatter.

Rattanathibet police say they are actively investigating. Officers have been working through the details provided by Sarayut, gathering testimony and looking for any leads. Their work is made harder by one significant obstacle: the area around the house is not covered by CCTV. Without camera footage, investigators must rely on witness statements, forensics and any digital breadcrumbs they can find.

Even with that challenge, authorities remain optimistic. Police told reporters they expect to identify and arrest the suspects soon based on the information Sarayut provided—names, timelines and the clear motive suggested by someone who appears to have targeted an old acquaintance with knowledge of his cash on hand.

The incident raises uncomfortable questions about loyalty and survival after incarceration. Both men emerged from the prison system with savings and a chance to rebuild. For some, post-release life is an opportunity for redemption and steady work; for others, old patterns and desperate choices can resurface in dangerous ways. In this case, a friendship that once likely meant protection and mutual support has become a cautionary tale.

Community reactions online reflect a mix of sympathy and incredulity. Many expressed sorrow for Sarayut’s loss of trust, while others discussed the broader problem of reintegration for former inmates—how difficult it can be to find steady work, housing and acceptance, and how those pressures can sometimes push people toward crime.

For now, Sarayut is left to reconcile the past with the present: the man who once shared hardship has allegedly turned into the thief in his doorway. Police investigations will determine whether Chai and his accomplices will face justice. Until then, the story serves as a stark reminder that not every bond formed in adversity survives the light of day.

What to watch next: Rattanathibet Police Station’s follow-up statements and any arrests they announce will be key. Without CCTV footage, investigators will likely look for phone records, witness accounts from neighbors, and social media activity to piece together the night’s events. In communities where cameras are sparse, vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement can make the difference in resolving cases like this one.

Whether this turns into a quick arrest or a longer investigation, the human element is undeniable: a man feels betrayed, a neighborhood feels unsettled, and a shared past becomes the lens through which a crime is judged. For Sarayut, the healing may take longer than the police work, but the search for answers is already underway.