On a lively Tuesday afternoon, amidst the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, a dramatic scene unfolded right in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Passersby couldn’t help but pause as law enforcement officers apprehended Nava Hongsakul, a 36-year-old driver entangled in a scandalous theft that has intrigued the city.
Hongsakul, the trusted chauffeur of Krisana Thanomsab, CEO of the renowned Belink Media, found himself cuffed and caught in an elaborate investigation led by Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thumsuthee, investigative commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. It turns out that loyalty can be a slippery slope when temptation dangles century-old photographs before one’s eyes.
The story traces back to 2022, when Hongsakul, hailing from Samut Prakan, secured a position as Thanomsab’s driver. What started as a humble job quickly blossomed into an opportunity to explore the opulent confines of his employer’s mansion on Udomsuk Road. The trust he earned seemed unshakeable—until the fateful day of May 4.
On that day, calamity struck in the form of a fire that erupted in the electrical power control room of the mansion. The blaze knocked out the CCTV, plunging the estate into a chaotic dance of flames and smoke. Showcasing his presence of mind, Hongsakul heroically escorted his boss out of the burning building, earning accolades for his bravery. However, as the fire raged on and chaos reigned, a darker side of Hongsakul’s character emerged.
The flames hadn’t even cooled when Hongsakul slipped back into the evacuated mansion. Amidst the smoldering ruins and frantic firefighting efforts, he clandestinely pilfered four photographs of King Rama V. These weren’t just any pictures; they were royal treasures, dating back 120 years and bearing the autographs of the monarch himself—a cherished family inheritance of untold worth.
With the fire eventually extinguished and normalcy creeping back, Thanomsab discovered the irreplaceable loss. Realizing the true extent of the theft, he promptly filed a report with the police, setting the wheels of justice in motion.
The detectives, sharpening their investigative prowess, traced the precious photographs to collectors scattered across Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, and Nonthaburi provinces. These modern-day treasure hunters had acquired the photos for a collective sum of 100,000 baht, unaware of the malicious undertones behind their acquisition.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradet revealed that, upon confrontation, Hongsakul didn’t deny his actions. He confessed to selling the invaluable artifacts online, an act of betrayal that left his employer and the entire city stunned. This robbery wasn’t Hongsakul’s first brush with the law; his record bore the stains of previous criminal charges for hosting gambling, hinting at a history of questionable decisions.
As news of the arrest spread, it painted a vivid picture of the contrasting themes of trust, betrayal, and the often murky depths of human ambition. While the stolen photographs may someday find their way back to where they belong, the story of Nava Hongsakul serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of trust and the unpredictable twists that life can take.
This whole situation is wild! Who would have thought a simple driver could pull this off?
It’s crazy. But desperation can make people do unbelievable things.
True, but stealing 120-year-old photos? That’s bold and reckless.
Reckless, yes. But think about the pressure and opportunity. We don’t know his full story.
It’s sad that the fire gave him a chance to betray his employer’s trust like that.
Honestly, the guy’s just plain scum. Saving his boss then robbing him? That’s low.
What’s done is done. But I feel for the boss. Losing such irreplaceable items is heartbreaking.
Are we really surprised? People do worse things for much less these days.
I agree, but it doesn’t make it any less shocking. 120-year-old royal photos? That’s history!
Hongsakul knew what he was doing. The guy had a record, after all.
A record of hosting gambling is quite different from stealing royal photographs.
Crime is crime. People like him don’t change, no matter the scale.
What I don’t get is how the collectors didn’t realize these were stolen goods.
This incident just shows how nothing is sacred anymore. Royal photos, of all things!
It’s always the things with the most historical and sentimental value that get targeted.
Stealing during a fire is a serious low. Could he not have thought about the greater damage he was causing?
People in desperate situations rarely think about the long-term consequences.
Let’s not forget the heroism he showed in the fire first. His actions post-fire are just a separate story.
Heroism doesn’t justify theft. He lost any respect he earned by committing the crime.
Honestly, I think the punishment should be severe. Royal treasures are important to national heritage.
Is it just me, or does it sound like something out of a movie? Real life can be stranger than fiction.
If anything, this incident proves that trust is incredibly fragile and easy to break.
Will they even be able to get the photos back? I hope so, but it seems unlikely now.
They have to! Those photos are a part of history. The authorities must prioritize recovering them.
Crimes like these should be a wake-up call about tightening security around historical treasures.
It’s clear he took advantage of the chaos. Opportunists often show their true colors in such situations.
Does anyone else think the boss might have been involved? It all seems too convenient.
Now that’s a wild theory, Jimmy! But it does make one wonder.
I mean, you can’t trust anyone these days. Even those who seem the most trustworthy.