Phuket —
An incident took place off Nai Yang Beach in Thalang when a local fishing boat was stolen and later sank in the open sea, leaving its owner devastated.
Witnesses reported that the vessel, moored near the fish market, was suddenly taken by a man who sped away from shore, causing panic among residents. At first, many believed the culprit to be a foreign tourist. However, police later confirmed the suspect was a 22‑year‑old Thai man from Lampang Province, identified as Mr. Piyawat, who suffers from mental health issues.
Local fishermen quickly joined forces with officers from Sakhu Police Station, launching boats to pursue the stolen vessel. They managed to intercept and secure the situation before arresting the suspect and bringing him back to shore for questioning.
Yet, even as the suspect was taken into custody, tragedy struck. The stolen fishing boat began to take on water and eventually sank. Investigators explained that the suspect had started only the main engine but failed to activate the bilge pump, allowing seawater to flood the vessel until it capsized.
For the boat’s owner, the outcome was heartbreaking. Though the suspect was apprehended, the loss of the boat, a vital livelihood tool, represents a severe financial and emotional blow.
