An 81-year-old British expat in Udon Thani has been left both baffled and heartbroken after thieves made off with his treasured tricycle motorcycle in a brazen early-morning theft captured on nearby CCTV.
Wayne, a retired restaurateur originally from Liverpool, reported the theft to Mueang Udon Thani Police Station on September 2 through a translator. His beloved blue-and-bronze three-wheeler — a Sky Lab tricycle he’d lovingly maintained — disappeared from outside his home in the Dong Udom area of Nong Bua subdistrict after being parked there for about a month. Despite being second-hand, he values the machine at 27,000 baht; more importantly, it was his pride and joy.
The incident itself was quick and stealthy. CCTV footage from a nearby curtain shop shows two men, estimated to be in their mid-to-late 20s, arriving at 6:25 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, riding a white motorbike with no plates. The passenger is seen pushing the tricycle before jumping on, while the driver uses his foot to push the stolen vehicle along the road. In a matter of two minutes they sped off toward the Santaphon College intersection in Ban Nong Kham and were gone.
“I’m very sad about losing my vehicle because I loved it so much,” Wayne told officers. “In my free time I enjoyed driving around to feel the breeze and see the sights of Udon Thani. I hope the police can track down the thieves and return my beloved tricycle.”
Wayne’s story is more than just a lost set of wheels. He’s lived in Thailand for ten years, and during that time local friends helped him keep the tricycle in top condition — upgrades, tune-ups and the small, affectionate repairs that turn a vehicle into a companion. He now works as a translator for a law firm in Udon Thani city and bought his house with the help of a close Thai friend, so the tricycle wasn’t merely transport; it was a symbol of the life he’s built here.
He expressed gratitude for the police response but couldn’t resist a bit of gallows humor: “I might not be able to resist using my Muay Thai skills on them,” he quipped, while stressing he’d prefer the authorities handle the matter. Local investigators say they are examining the CCTV footage and checking cameras along the likely escape route to try to identify the suspects and recover the vehicle.
Residents in the Dong Udom neighbourhood have reacted with sympathy and a touch of indignation — a familiar mix when a community’s shared sense of security is shaken. For many expats and locals alike, the sight of Wayne pottering around town on his Sky Lab became a small, reassuring reminder of normal life: fresh air, friendly nods from neighbours, and exploration at a gentle pace. That routine has been upended, and people want answers.
Police have appealed to anyone who might recognise the white motorbike, or the two men seen in the footage, to come forward. Small details often make the difference: distinctive scuffs on the Sky Lab’s frame, particular stickers, or even the way the passenger mounted the tricycle could help trace it.
For Wayne, the loss is both practical and emotional. He described the way the tricycle made him feel when he drove it — the breeze across his face, the ease of stopping for a chat with friends — and how disappointing it is to have that routine taken away. “I just want it back,” he said simply. “I’ve had so much help to keep it in good shape. It wasn’t just a machine.”
The police promise they are working the case, combing through footage from surrounding areas and interviewing witnesses. For now, Wayne and his neighbours are left waiting — hoping a trace of the Sky Lab will show up on camera or that someone will recognise the men captured in the early-morning video.
If you were in the Dong Udom, Ban Nong Kham or Santaphon College intersection areas around 6:25 a.m. on August 30 and saw anything suspicious — a white bike without plates, two men moving a blue-and-bronze tricycle, or other unusual activity — please contact Mueang Udon Thani Police Station. Even the smallest observation might lead to the recovery of a much-loved vehicle and a restoration of an elderly man’s simple pleasures.
In a town where community ties matter, the hope is that neighbours, shopkeepers with CCTV, and the police will join together to bring back a little bit of normality for an Englishman who only wanted to enjoy the breeze and the sights of his adopted home.
This makes me so angry, how do people steal from an 81 year old and think nothing of it? The police need to do better and the community should not let this go.
As a local I can say sometimes police are stretched but neighbours with CCTV are the real hope here; people should share the footage and descriptions widely.
Practical tip, lock the front wheel to something heavy and mark parts with a UV pen, thieves often strip parts to sell and that helps identify them.
I agree with Maria, and if the police check scrap yards they might find parts quickly, I just want Wayne to get his trike back.
Thanks everyone for the sympathy, I really appreciate it and Im still hopeful the police will find it, it meant a lot to me beyond money.
So sorry Wayne, as a criminologist I would advise documenting unique features and circulating images among repair shops and secondhand dealers; networks often move stolen vehicles quickly.
I saw the clip and it was brave of you to stay calm in the report, many people would get violent, but let the police do their work and keep safe.
Im trying to stay calm, but I cant help joking about Muay Thai, hope it made people smile at the station.
This is theft 101, there is probably a small gang doing dawn runs, white bike without plates screams organised cash-in-hand resale network.
Be careful throwing the word gang around, sometimes its just opportunistic kids with no job, but either way it is wrong and not excusable.
True Larry, but pattern matters; if multiple similar thefts happen they arent just random kids, someone is coordinating.
Coordination or desperation, poverty is a cause too, we cant ignore that when we point fingers.
Police should check pawn shops and repair garages, most stolen tricycle parts end up there within days.
This makes me sad, I used to teach older students about community and respect; stealing from elderly is low.
You are right Tom, respect has to be taught by example, and community watch groups could help, but they need to be careful not to escalate.
Exactly Sam, and simple steps like strangers asking questions in the morning might deter thieves if done safely.
From a policy perspective, this highlights the tension between resource allocation and visible policing; elderly-targeted property crimes can erode trust quickly.
I work with the local station, we are following CCTV leads and checking routes, but public tips are crucial and we appreciate the community sharing footage.
Thanks for the update Anucha, transparency about progress will help restore public confidence and encourage cooperation.
Back in my day you kept things safe or you paid the price, but now I worry for seniors living alone, seems the world got colder.
It hurts me to think young people would do this, but I also see how lack of opportunity pushes kids into petty crime around here.
Sympathy is fine but not an excuse, theft is theft and victims like Wayne deserve justice, solutions require both enforcement and social programs.
I agree James, we need both, police action now and youth programs later to prevent repeats.
Im just surprised the thieves were so bold at 6:25 a.m., maybe they felt timings outside busy areas are safe, still reckless and cowardly.
This is mean, why would anyone take a nice old mans bike? Thats not cool.
Anny, sometimes people do unkind things, that is why community and consequences matter; tell an adult if you see anything suspicious.
I told my mum and she said victims need help and neighbours should watch for clues.
If the police cant find them I wouldnt be surprised. Shameful to steal from someone who has given years to the community.
Im grateful for all the kind neighbours, it keeps me hopeful even if the system sometimes seems slow.
This story makes me wonder who else had their trust violated and didnt report it; small thefts are the canary in the coal mine for wider issues.
Exactly Samantha, unreported thefts create a market for stolen goods and embolden thieves, reporting matters even for small items.
Thank you, Im going to encourage my street to check our cameras and share any suspicious activity with the station.
We appreciate tips and would ask anyone with footage to visit the station, even small details like a scratch or sticker help investigations.
Officer P, consider a publicised drop-off of footage to reduce friction, many witnesses hesitate to come forward for minor reasons.
Good suggestion, we will coordinate with local shops to simplify evidence sharing and reassure informants of confidentiality.