Transport
Highway Wire Thief Arrested in Ubon Ratchathani
A 40-year-old man has been arrested for stealing electrical cables from highway lighting, causing widespread outages across three districts.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand, highway police and local road maintenance officials in Ubon Ratchathani have apprehended a 40-year-old man, identified as Somsak, for the systematic theft of public electrical cables. The suspect was taken into custody on August 9, 2026, following an investigation into a series of power outages affecting dozens of kilometers of roadway.
Authorities allege that the suspect targeted highway infrastructure across three districts, reportedly committing over 50 separate incidents and tampering with 120 utility poles. The suspect faces charges related to the theft of public property during nighttime hours using a vehicle, as well as the illegal use of methamphetamine.
For residents and travelers in the region, this incident explains the recent prolonged darkness along certain highway stretches, which can pose significant safety risks for night driving. While the arrest marks a major development in restoring infrastructure security, it remains to be confirmed how long the necessary repairs will take to fully restore lighting to all affected areas. Travelers are advised to exercise caution when driving through these districts at night until maintenance crews complete the restoration of the electrical grid.