Thieves targeting telecommunication equipment disrupt network signals
Thieves Behind True Corporation Equipment Heist Arrested
Three suspects, including two Lao nationals and a Thai national, have been nabbed for stealing transmission equipment belonging to True Corporation. The stolen goods were intended for disassembly and resale, resulting in signal disruptions and an estimated 20 million baht in losses.
Police apprehended the suspects following a lead on a pickup truck observed in a surveillance video from Phitsanulok. The trio, identified as Voun Baythavong, 26, Sonchay Sengmala, 25, and Thanapong Pimthuad, 32, were found at a house in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province.
As sub-contract employees of True Corp, their involvement in this affair is particularly striking[1][2]. The authorities confiscated 36 base band transmission boxes and 100 kilogrammes of copper cable from the scene.
Currently, 100 kilogrammes of stolen copper cable, along with other equipment swiped from Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, and nearby provinces, has been recovered[1][2].
According to investigators, the two Lao suspects confessed to stealing equipment installed by the telecommunications company in Phrom Phiram district, Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai province. The equipment was then offloaded to Thanapong Pimthuad, who would dismantle it for resale, extracting valuable components like gold and melting them for sale[1][2]. Other parts were sold to brokers, potentially even overseas.
The thefts led to signal disruptions in the provinces, causing approximately 20 million baht in damages. These disruptions negatively affected service quality and availability for users in Phitsanulok and nearby regions[1][2].
Investigations continue to uncover other individuals believed to be involved in the operation[1][2].
Sources:[1] Chinnawat Singha. (2023). Police Arrest Three over Heist of True Corp's Signal Transmission Equipment. The Bangkok Post. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/2117192
[2] True Corp Signal Equipment Heist: 3 Arrested, Thieves Exploited Insider Positions. (2023). Khaosod English. Retrieved from https://english.khaosod.co.th/news/thailand/true-corp-signal-equipment-heist-3-arrested-thieves-exploited-insider-positions/
The suspected thieves, Voun Baythavong, Sonchay Sengmala, and Thanapong Pimthuad, who were arrested for stealing True Corporation's signal transmission equipment, were originally sub-contract employees of the company, highlighting the underhand use of technology in general-news crime-and-justice cases. The recovered stolen equipment included 36 base band transmission boxes and 100 kilogrammes of copper cable, evidence that this incident involved the dismantling and resale of the swiped technology, contributing to signal disruptions and substantial financial losses.
