CHUMPHON — A misguided attempt at love led to legal trouble for a 32-year-old man from Prachuap Khiri Khan province after he stole a government vehicle to impress a high school student, only to be swiftly apprehended by police.
The incident unfolded on January 18 at Chumphon City’s railway station when Mr. Prasat, 59, an official from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, left his pickup truck idling while collecting goods. Moments later, the vehicle was gone. Thanks to its GPS system, authorities tracked the truck and launched an immediate pursuit.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Wathana, had been infatuated with the daughter of a local grocery store owner for three years. The girl, now in 11th grade, had unknowingly become the focus of his unspoken admiration. Mr. Wathana frequented her family’s store but never found the courage to express his feelings.
Desperation, combined with the influence of four methamphetamine pills, spurred him into action. In an ill-conceived gesture of devotion, he seized the government pickup, intending to impress her.
Police monitored the vehicle along Phetkasem Road and coordinated with checkpoints along the highway. By 5:30 p.m., officers intercepted the stolen truck near Kiri Lom School in Bang Saphan Noi district, bringing the escapade to an abrupt end.
While Mr. Wathana owns a six-rai durian orchard, his romantic ambitions gave way to reckless behavior fueled by drugs and fantasy. He now faces multiple charges, including vehicle theft and driving under the influence of narcotics.
Stealing government property carries significant penalties in Thailand, with fines for theft alone reaching up to ฿40,000. Beyond the legal ramifications, the incident highlights the risks of allowing impulsive actions to overshadow reason.
This cautionary tale underscores the perils of blending romantic ambition with criminal acts. For Mr. Wathana, the pursuit of love has instead become a lesson in the steep cost of misjudged intentions.