Yongyut Mutchawej was arrested after local people reported that he had been acting suspiciously. When police searched the house he lived in they found 16 complete water meters and 60 meter components.
They seized the tools of his trade, an adjustable wrench, a pair of pliers and a Yamaha motorcycle. They also found two bullets but no gun.
The suspect admitted to police that he would ride his motorbike around local residential areas at night and, whenever the opportunity offered, he would unscrew the meters and make off with them. He said he used the money he got from selling parts of the meters to pay for ya bah.
Water meters in Thailand have a brass ring holding the faceplate in position. This can be sold to unscrupulous scrap dealers for cash.
Yongyut was charged with theft at night using as getaway vehicle and illegal possession of ammunition.