In a tale that seems straight out of a crime novel, a 45-year-old gentleman from Nakhon Pathom, known by the name Sombat or just “Toh” to his friends—or perhaps suspects—has been apprehended for his alleged involvement in a series of rather daring thefts across Samut Prakan. His cunning ruse? Disguising himself as an unsuspecting do-gooder, feeding stray cats while secretly pilfering prized possessions from unsuspecting residents. Intrigued? Oh, it gets better.
The whole operation was orchestrated under the watchful eyes of Police Colonel Yodrak Kittilappanarath, the deputy superintendent at Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station. Under his leadership, a strategic arrest was made on the rather sticky morning of May 20th. Our protagonist—or antagonist, depending on where you stand—was nabbed right in the motorcycle parking area of Bon Kai Community Housing nestled in Pathum Wan district. There they found a Yamaha Grand Filano motorcycle, its identity obscured by the absence of a license plate, alongside an impressive stash: 47,000 baht in crisp cash, plus a toolbox filled with instruments of a rather nefarious trade.
The plot thickened back on May 8th when a victim ran to the police station to report a burglary in Soi Ruam Pattana 9. The thief, in a stroke of sheer audacity (or perhaps a lapse in judgement), had nicked 2,500 baht right out of a piggy bank. Though akin to a pig’s ransom, it was the CCTV footage of a blue Yamaha Grand Filano at the scene of the crime that proved particularly illuminating. The chase was on. The bike had a cleverly disguised fake license plate, which only deepened the mystery and spurred a closer look.
Soon, a portrait of our suspect emerged: a modern-day drifter, seamlessly changing locations, staying ever one step ahead. Detectives, with an eagle eye, discovered the motorcycle parked resolutely at Bon Kai Community Housing—the game was truly afoot. With a dose of patience and tactical brilliance, the police maintained their stakeout, an homage to crime dramas everywhere, until the early hours of morning when Toh made his calculated move towards the motorcycle. Unbeknownst to him, his prelude to another caper marked his downfall, leading to his capture.
As officers rummaged through Toh’s bag, they unearthed burglary tools and—astonishingly—substantial amounts of cash. To add spice to this already zesty tale, some of this loot had reportedly been handed off to a karaoke hostess—a subplot that fans of noir couldn’t write better themselves. Upon questioning, Toh spilled the beans, confessing to his recent jail stint for a similar escapade in Bang Bon, painting a vivid picture of a man falling back into shadowy ways, spurred by job loss as a besieged security guard. The allure of easy pickings was too tempting, embarking on his escapades under the guise of feeding stray feline friends.
This feline ruse lowered suspicions, enabling Toh to expertly breach sanctuaries, switching plates with the dexterity of a stage magician and vanishing like a phantom under bridges or into the maze-like community housing. Even so, while Toh claimed innocence in the majority of the thefts attributed to his modus operandi, the authorities, acutely aware of mounting evidence, viewed his declarations with a hefty pinch of skepticism.
As this caper comes to a close, the saga of Toh the Cat Burglar enters the courts, where he faces grave charges of theft under the shadow of malfeasance—complete with a vehicle for fast getaways. Meanwhile, the residents of Bangkok and its sprawling suburbs remain captivated by this unfolding drama, patiently awaiting the final act in what has become one of the season’s most compelling stories.
Picture courtesy of KhaoSod
Honestly, I can’t believe someone would use feeding cats as a cover for theft. It’s so twisted!
Well, I guess using innocent animals is a smart tactic, nobody would suspect a cat feeder!
It’s just despicable to exploit cats like that. It’s people like him that give pet lovers a bad name.
Exactly! He’s tarnishing the image of genuine animal lovers.
I wonder if the cats were in on the scheme… kidding! But it really is a unique method.
I don’t buy his ‘poor me’ story about job loss leading to crime. We all face hardships but don’t resort to theft!
While I agree crime isn’t excusable, we should acknowledge that desperation can drive people to make bad choices.
This is like a modern-day Robin Hood tale, except he’s not stealing to give to the poor. Just another thief in a fancy disguise.
Robin Hood or not, it’s fascinating how crime methods evolve with society. Imagine if the medieval bandits had cat disguises!
Can we talk about how effective the police stakeout was? It’s like something you’d see on a crime TV show.
Indeed, kudos to the officers for their strategic approach. Feels like a showdown in a detective novel!
I just hope this sets a precedent for more proactive policing in the area.
Using his theft money for karaoke? That’s bizarre, don’t you think? Priorities, man!
I suppose everyone has their way of unwinding… Granted, using stolen money isn’t the right way.
What I want to know is, why wasn’t this guy caught sooner? Weren’t there previous incidents?
It’s intriguing how the suspect’s past didn’t deter him from returning to crime. Some people never learn.
There’s a pattern with people who fall back into criminal behavior post-incarceration. We need better reintegration programs.
Why risk it all for something so petty as 2,500 baht? Makes you question people’s priorities.
It’s crazy, but petty thieves often don’t realize the consequences until it’s too late.
This story highlights a huge need for community vigilance. Neighbors looking out for each other could prevent crimes like this.
Criminals are getting creative with their cover stories. Makes you think twice about seemingly innocent actions.
I wonder if there’re more like him using these everyday disguises. Next time I see a cat feeder, I’ll be suspicious!
Haha, imagine Toh’s surprise when he got caught in such a classical manner. Bet he never saw it coming!
The whole cat disguising story might make for a good book. ‘The Cat Burglar of Bangkok’ has a nice ring to it!
I’d definitely read that, sounds like an exciting plot!
Right? It’s got intrigue, drama, and a quirky twist.