Couple Arrested for Serial Theft of Air Conditioning Components in Bangkok
Police in Bangkok's Chok Chai district have apprehended a couple accused of stealing air conditioning parts and copper wiring from vacant properties.
On October 21, 2026, authorities in Bangkok’s Chok Chai district arrested a 47-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman on charges related to the theft of air conditioning equipment. According to reports from Khaosod Online, the suspects were allegedly driving around the area targeting abandoned homes and unoccupied properties to strip them of valuable materials.
Police seized several items from the pair, including four air conditioning coils, three kilograms of stripped copper wire, four kilograms of copper air conditioning pipes, two kilograms of unstripped electrical wire, and six metal air conditioning frames. These items were reportedly discovered hidden inside white plastic sacks at the time of the arrest.
For residents and property owners in the area, this incident highlights the ongoing risk of theft targeting vacant or under-construction buildings. While the suspects are currently in police custody, the investigation is ongoing to determine if they are linked to other similar thefts in the region. It remains to be confirmed whether the pair acted alone or were part of a larger network involved in the illicit trade of scrap metal. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity around unoccupied properties to local law enforcement to help prevent similar crimes.
