BANGKOK, Thailand – Police from Sutthisan Police Station have arrested four suspected members of a motorcycle theft network allegedly stealing Honda Wave motorcycles to order and sending them to buyers in a neighbouring country. Police seized two modified Toyota Commuter vans allegedly used to transport stolen motorcycles, along with six Honda Wave motorcycles and two license plates. The vans had been modified by removing seats to create space for transporting motorcycles.
The arrests followed an investigation launched after police received reports of several stolen motorcycles. Investigators arranged a sting operation at a Shell petrol station on Soi Lat Phrao 44 in Bangkok. The operation led to the arrest of two alleged motorcycle thieves, identified as Saharat and Vanatphong, who were wanted under arrest warrants for allegedly jointly committing nighttime theft using a vehicle.
Police then expanded the investigation and arrested two van drivers allegedly responsible for transporting the stolen motorcycles to people involved in the network near the northeastern border.
According to investigators, the suspects admitted being paid about 23,000 to 25,000 baht for each stolen motorcycle, while van drivers allegedly received 2,500 baht per motorcycle. Each van could reportedly carry up to four motorcycles, allowing a driver to earn about 10,000 baht per trip.
Police said the network mainly targeted Honda Wave motorcycles based on orders from buyers across the border. The alleged thieves typically operated in pairs at night, stealing about two motorcycles per operation and selecting vehicles they believed could be taken easily.
After stealing the motorcycles, the suspects allegedly hid them, changed their clothes and sometimes used the stolen motorcycles while committing further offences in an attempt to conceal their activities. They then contacted the alleged organizers, who arranged for vans to collect the motorcycles and transport them towards the northeastern border.
One suspect, Vanatphong, allegedly told police that he had been involved in motorcycle theft for about seven months and had stolen at least 100 motorcycles.
Police said the suspects had allegedly operated across several areas of Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. Investigators are continuing to trace additional stolen motorcycles and identify more victims.
The suspects initially face charges related to nighttime theft and receiving stolen property. Police are also coordinating with Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station in Pathum Thani to pursue additional legal action linked to motorcycles reported stolen in its jurisdiction. Police said an individual identified as Jimmy, a Lao national, was allegedly acting as an organizer from Laos and placing orders with the network’s van drivers. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify other members of the network and recover additional stolen motorcycles.
