Phuket –
A motorcycle rental shop in Wichit has uncovered an alleged scheme involving rented vehicles being transported out of the province in violation of rental agreements, raising concerns about organized fraud targeting rental businesses.
The case surfaced on April 22nd when Ms. Phakjira, the shop’s owner, filed a complaint at Phuket City Police Station after discovering that a motorcycle rented from her shop had been covertly moved out of Phuket. The vehicle was later found concealed inside a cargo truck operated by a logistics company heading toward Ayutthaya.
According to the rental agreement, the motorcycle was to be used within Phuket only. However, on April 21st, the owner, utilizing the bike’s GPS tracking system, discovered that it had been transported to Chumphon—far beyond the agreed-upon boundaries. When she contacted the renter, Ms. Supawan, she was falsely assured that the vehicle was still in Karon.
Suspicious of potential theft, the owner alerted local authorities. Through coordinated efforts across multiple jurisdictions, police successfully located the motorcycle at a gas station in Samut Songkhram before discovering it inside a closed cargo truck en route to Ayutthaya.
Police in Samut Songkhram, intercepted the vehicle and secured the rental bike. The truck driver revealed that he had been hired to transport the motorcycle to Ayutthaya, though the identity of the individual behind the operation remains unclear.
Despite mounting evidence, the renter continued to insist that the motorcycle had never left Karon. When summoned to Phuket City Police Station for questioning, she denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, other rental business operators have reported similar incidents. One shop owner disclosed that he had rented a motorcycle to the same individual, only to later track and intercept the vehicle in Chumphon, suggesting a broader pattern of rental fraud.
Ms. Phakjira emphasized the severity of the case, stating that rental business owners must remain vigilant against potential scams. While her shop had never faced such a situation before, she noted that online forums among rental operators had repeatedly warned about similar fraudulent tactics.
Authorities are now expanding their investigation, examining possible connections to a wider vehicle smuggling operation. Law enforcement is assessing whether multiple individuals may be collaborating to systematically transport rental vehicles across provinces for unknown purposes. If further evidence emerges, police may issue additional arrest warrants.
As the investigation unfolds, Phuket’s vehicle rental industry remains on high alert, urging businesses to implement enhanced security measures to safeguard their assets.
