Pol Capt Santichai Seemai of Thalang Police at 12:30am was alerted by Chamroen Putduang, 58, an attendent at the Lipon subsidized housing estate (Ban Ke-ha - Ueua Athon) in Sisunthon's Moo 1, that a motorbike had been set ablaze.
Pol Capt Santichai notified his superior and along with fellow officer Suchart Rattanakesorn, reported to the scene, where a crowd of residents looked on as volunteers and officers proceeded to douse the flames, which took about 15 minutes.
The motorbike was burnt to a complete crisp, though investigators were able to determine its make, a Honda Click, and trace its Phuket plates to a woman named by police only as Ms Waree.
Police identified a suspect as Pitak Sanjit, 26, of Songkhla, who stayed in a unit at housing project, near the scene of the incident.
Police questioned Pitak, who confessed to setting the motorbike on fire, claiming that he did so in reprisal for an outstanding, unpaid loan for an undisclosed amount of money to a “friend” of the owner of the bike, which was allegedly put up as collateral for the loan.
Police have yet to file any charges, but are waiting to question the owner of the motorbike to verify the claim, and have not ruled out other possible motives as the investigation continues.