The arrests were made at about 4:40pm yesterday (June 16) after officers received a report from the Phuket City Police radio centre of suspicious activity at the office of Phanasorn Resort housing estate in Laem Hin, in Moo 7, Koh Kaew.
Leading the arrest were Pol Lt Vinyu Boonmee, Deputy Patrol Inspector at Phuket City Police Station, Sgt Col Theera Maneerat and members of the Koh Kaew patrol unit, assisted by Moo 7 village headman Thawat Changlek.
Police arrested two Thai men, identified as 35-year-old ‘Khwanchai’ and 27-year-old ‘Anan’.
According to the police report, officers and the village headman found a blue Honda Sonic motorcycle parked inside the fenced compound of the village office when they arrived.
After entering the building, officers allegedly found the two men inspecting electrical wiring inside the office.
Police said Anan was holding a screwdriver when officers confronted the pair, while a black-and-red shoulder bag found nearby was claimed by Khwanchai.
A search of the bag uncovered five wire cutters, three screwdrivers, two utility knives, a flashlight, lengths of red and green copper electrical wire measuring about five metres each, a five-metre length of rope and other tools believed to have been intended for use in the theft.
Police also seized the Honda Sonic motorcycle, which Anan admitted belonged to him.
Both men were charged with jointly committing theft using a vehicle, an offence that carries heavier penalties under Thai law than ordinary theft.
Following their arrest, both suspects underwent preliminary urine tests, which returned positive results for methamphetamine, police said.
They were subsequently charged with consuming a Category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine (ya bah), without permission.
The suspects and all seized items were taken to Phuket City Police Station, where they were handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.
Police have not reported the value of any property allegedly targeted or whether any electrical wiring had been removed before officers arrived.