Thung Tong police led by Lt Col Chawapon Santisartsanakul revealed that at 5pm, they arrested three Trang natives: Ponwirit Kwanwilai, 22, Nattapong Rongdech, 22, and Tad (not the real name), 17, at a rented room in Kathu.
Two men were being arrested for stealing a Honda Jazz from Kathu, while the other one for possession of a Category 5 drug.
Police seized the stolen vehicle, Honda Jazz, one motorbike, Honda Wave, one Thai pradit pistol, three 12 gauge shot gun shells, two fake license plates, kratom leaves, kratom cocktail, and cooking devices.
Lt Col Chawapon said that on March 15 Mr Kittichart Wijitsopa filed a police report that his vehicle, the Honda Jazz, was stolen from outside the front of his house in Moo Baan Golf Land Hills behind the Lock Palm Golf Club in Kathu.
Police believe that the auto theft was carried out sometime between the hours of 9pm (May 14) – 8am (May 15).
Police later learned from investigators that the three suspects drove the stolen vehicle out of Phuket for a remodel as well as changing the license plates, before returning to Kathu.
After police spotted the stolen vehicle parked outside the suspects’ home, police brought Mr Kittichart to the house in Moo 5, Kathu, to identify the vehicle.
Police raided the home and found the trio taking kratom juice. They were arrested and police seized the stolen vehicle and searched their room. Police also discovered a gun, bullets as well as other items.
The trio were taken to Kathu police station and all were questioned about the auto theft and the forgery of the license plates.
Police learned that only two were involved in the auto theft, Ponwirit and Nattapong.
Ponwirit is also facing the charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, forgery of license plates, and theft at night using a getaway vehicle.
Tad, the 17-year-old, is facing the charge of theft at night using a getaway vehicle.
All three are facing the charge of illegal possession of a Category 5 drug as well as taking and producing a Category 5 drug.