Sakhu Police said officers received a report that a fishing boat had been stolen from where it was moored in front of Ching Pla Market at Nai Yang Beach at about 8am on Sunday (July 19).
Patrol officers and investigators, joined by the boat’s owners, Chokmongkol Sae-iew and Huatpo Sae-iew, and a member of the public, pursued the vessel as it headed south.
The boat was eventually located about four nautical miles offshore, south of Koh Waeo in Cherng Talay, where police found it sinking.
Police identified the suspect as Piyawat Pimolpattanakul, 22, of Ngao District, Lampang Province. He was taken into custody and handed over to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for legal action.
According to police, the stolen vessel was the 9.8-tonne fishing boat ‘Por Chok Mongkol’. A yellow fibreglass paddle board was also reported stolen.
Police believe the boat struck rocks during the incident, causing it to take on water and sink. Efforts to recover the vessel were continuing.
Piyawat has been charged with theft of property belonging to an agricultural worker or equipment used for agricultural purposes, causing damage to property, and offences under the Navigation in Thai Waters Act relating to operating a vessel in contravention of maritime regulations.
The arrest was carried out under the direction of Sakhu Police Superintendent Pol Col Salan Santisasanakul, with patrol and investigation officers from Sakhu Police Station.