Police finally catch Mr Somsak, 40, after more than 50 reported highway cable thefts across Ubon Ratchathani. His 15-month spree left roads dark for kilometres, caused millions in damage and was linked to fatal crashes while funding his meth habit.
A 15-month highway theft spree that plunged roads across Ubon Ratchathani into darkness has ended with the arrest of a former electrician. Police say Mr Somsak, 40, admitted to more than 50 thefts, causing millions of baht in damage and dangerous blackouts. The outages were linked to crashes causing injuries and fatalities. After more than 55 days of surveillance, officers caught him beside Highway 24 before another theft. Investigators say he stripped copper from the stolen wiring, sold it for cash and used the proceeds to buy methamphetamine.
Thai highway police have finally caught a former electrician accused of systematically stripping lighting infrastructure across Ubon Ratchathani. Police say Mr Somsak, 40, carried out more than 50 thefts during a 15-month campaign.
The thefts began in May 2025 and continued until his arrest early on August 4. Almost nightly, he rode out on his motorcycle searching for another highway lighting system to strip. Using his electrical skills, he cut power before rapidly removing wiring and valuable components.
The damage repeatedly plunged long sections of highway into darkness. In some areas, blackouts stretched for tens of kilometres. Meanwhile, losses to public infrastructure and repair costs climbed into millions of baht.
Highway blackouts linked to crashes as repeated cable thefts leave repair costs running into millions
Highway officials repeatedly replaced cables and restored damaged systems. Yet fresh thefts continued elsewhere across the province. Police said multiple accidents occurred on roads affected by the loss of lighting. Those crashes caused injuries and fatalities, including at least one death connected to the damaged infrastructure.
Eventually, the frequency of the attacks triggered a dedicated highway police investigation. More than 36 complaints had already been filed across several jurisdictions. However, investigators later established that the number of offences was considerably higher.
Mr Somsak ultimately admitted committing more than 50 reported thefts, according to police. The sustained campaign targeted highway electrical systems across Det Udom, Na Yia and Buntharik districts.
In response, Ubon Ratchathani Highway Police established a special task force to hunt the thief. Officers joined forces with Ubon Ratchathani Highway District 2 and began pooling information. Police Major General Pornsak Laorujiralai, Commander of the Highway Police Division, ordered the operation. Police Captain Somphot Boonchaya, an inspector at the station, led the operation.
Special highway police task force formed as more than 50 cable thefts emerge across three districts
As part of this, investigators compared locations, times and recurring patterns surrounding the thefts. Police also used heat-map technology to identify connections between offences.
Notably, the analysis showed repeated attacks against highway lighting infrastructure across several areas. Nevertheless, catching the offender proved difficult because he operated alone and worked extremely quickly. Police said he also possessed detailed knowledge of the roads and surrounding terrain.
Crucially, Mr Somsak knew how to avoid areas covered by CCTV cameras. Before each attack, he frequently concealed his Honda Wave 110i motorcycle inside thick roadside vegetation. He then approached the lighting installation carrying tools required for the theft.
Once there, his experience as a freelance electrician allowed him to work rapidly. Police said he could complete an attack within only five to ten minutes.
Afterwards, he disappeared with the stolen wiring before patrol officers could reach the scene. Consequently, investigators spent more than 55 days tracking and monitoring his movements.
Police use heat maps and surveillance as lone thief avoids CCTV and strikes within just ten minutes
Officers repeatedly adjusted their surveillance methods as they built a clearer picture of his routine. At the same time, they identified the motorcycle believed to have been used during the thefts. Police eventually prepared an ambush along Highway 24.
The breakthrough came shortly after midnight on August 4. Officers concealed themselves near kilometre marker 401 in Muang Si Khai subdistrict, Warin Chamrap district.
At approximately 12.30 am, they spotted the motorcycle they had been tracking. Mr Somsak rode towards the location before stopping beside another highway lighting installation. He parked the motorcycle and approached the base of a utility pole carrying equipment.
Police watched as he prepared to open the cover at the bottom of the installation. He was carrying tools used to cut electrical wiring. This time, however, officers moved before another section of highway could be stripped. They emerged from their positions and arrested Mr Somsak at the scene. Police said they caught him before he could complete another theft.
Immediately afterwards, officers searched the equipment and sacks he had brought to the roadside. They recovered 19 sets of wiring harnesses and circuit breakers during the operation. In addition, police seized T-shaped hex wrenches, wire cutters and pole-climbing equipment. Other tools used for cutting electrical wiring were also recovered.
Highway police ambush suspect on Highway 24 after more than 55 days tracking his nightly movements
Police also seized six sacks containing discarded insulation, aluminium pieces and stripped copper wiring. Furthermore, officers confiscated the Honda Wave 110i motorcycle linked to the theft campaign. Drug paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine use was also recovered. The arrest then opened another important stage of the investigation.
Following the roadside operation, police searched Mr Somsak’s home for evidence connected with earlier thefts. Inside, investigators discovered equipment matching the methods used against highway lighting installations.
Significantly, officers found a modified low-voltage fuse holder. Police said the device allowed Mr Somsak to shut down power supplying an entire lighting line.
Investigators also recovered wire cutters and substantial quantities of electrical waste. Separately, they discovered piles of discarded cable insulation and stripped copper wiring. Drug paraphernalia was also found inside the property. Police seized the material as evidence before questioning Mr Somsak about the wider theft campaign.
During questioning, Mr Somsak confessed to all charges, according to police. He also gave investigators a detailed account of his methods. Previously, he had worked as a freelance electrician. Therefore, he possessed the technical knowledge needed to disable highway electrical systems quickly.
Police seize wiring, tools and motorcycle before search of suspect’s home uncovers further evidence
First, Mr Somsak modified a piece of wood to hook and remove a low-voltage fuse. Removing the fuse cut electricity along the entire lighting line.
Next, he used reinforcing steel to help himself climb the utility pole. Once in position, he kicked down the control box before cutting its wiring. He then packed the stolen material into a sack prepared before the theft.
Afterwards, Mr Somsak loaded the wiring onto his motorcycle and returned home. There, he stripped away the insulation and recovered the copper inside. The following morning, he took the copper to a scrap metal dealer. Each sale brought him between 1,200 and 1,500 baht, according to his confession.
He then used the proceeds to buy methamphetamine. Subsequently, he returned home and went to sleep. When he woke, police said he began planning another theft. Later that night, he would ride out looking for another highway lighting installation. In this way, the repeated thefts provided money for his drug use.
Moreover, Mr Somsak admitted operating entirely alone throughout the campaign. He told investigators that the thefts began in May 2025. From then on, he regularly targeted highway electrical infrastructure until police intercepted him on August 4, 2026. Initially, his confession matched 36 complaints already recorded by highway officials.
Former electrician explains how he cut highway power, stripped copper and sold it to finance drug use
On another front, investigators established that the operation extended beyond those reported cases. Mr Somsak admitted committing similar offences elsewhere. Accordingly, police put the total number of thefts at more than 50. The accumulated damage to highway infrastructure was estimated at millions of baht.
Across the affected districts, repeated cable thefts disabled substantial sections of highway lighting. At some locations, the resulting darkness extended for tens of kilometres.
In parallel, highway officials repeatedly replaced wiring and repaired damaged electrical installations. The public budget therefore absorbed mounting repair costs throughout the 15-month campaign.
More seriously, police said the blackouts created dangerous conditions for motorists travelling at night. Multiple road accidents occurred during the prolonged disruption. Those crashes resulted in injuries and fatalities. At least one fatality was connected with conditions created by damaged highway lighting infrastructure.
More than 50 thefts leave highways dark for tens of kilometres as repair bills reach millions of baht
Separately, investigators uncovered another detail surrounding the final attempted theft. August 4 was Mr Somsak’s birthday. Despite that, police said he went out after midnight intending to steal more highway wiring. His plan followed the same routine used repeatedly during the previous 15 months.
First, he intended to cut the electricity before removing the cables. Afterwards, the stolen wiring would be taken home and stripped for copper. The metal would then be sold to a scrap dealer the following morning. This time, however, Mr Somsak had additional plans for the money.
According to police, he intended to spend part of the proceeds on methamphetamine. Any remaining cash would be used to celebrate his birthday. Instead, highway police were already concealed beside Highway 24 waiting for his motorcycle. When it appeared at kilometre marker 401, officers watched Mr Somsak approach the lighting installation.
Within moments, police moved in and ended the operation. Mr Somsak was arrested before another section of highway wiring could be removed. Subsequently, officers informed him of the accusations and his legal rights. Police charged him with stealing property used or intended for public benefit.
Birthday theft plan ends in arrest as police say stolen copper was to fund methamphetamine and party
The accusation also covers committing the theft at night and using a vehicle during the offence. Additionally, police charged Mr Somsak with consuming a Category 1 narcotic, identified as methamphetamine. Following questioning, officers transferred him to investigators at Warin Chamrap Police Station.
Meanwhile, investigators continued comparing his confession with complaints recorded across Ubon Ratchathani.
The inquiry includes 36 previously reported cases and additional offences admitted during questioning. Evidence includes electrical equipment, stripped copper, tools and material recovered from his home. It also includes items seized when officers intercepted him beside Highway 24.
By then, police had reconstructed a highly repetitive pattern behind the thefts. Mr Somsak rode out after dark and selected another section of highway lighting infrastructure. First, he cut electricity supplying the lighting line. He then climbed the installation, brought down the control box and removed its wiring. Within five to ten minutes, police said he could escape with the stolen material.
Back home, the cables were stripped for their copper. The following morning, the metal was sold for between 1,200 and 1,500 baht. Thereafter, according to his confession, the proceeds paid for methamphetamine. He then slept before preparing to repeat the operation.
Police pursue wider case as confession, seized equipment and 36 complaints reveal repeated theft pattern
For highway officials, however, the same cycle produced mounting damage. Lighting disappeared across three districts, while some blackouts stretched for tens of kilometres. More than 36 formal complaints accumulated as the thefts continued. At the same time, road users travelled through sections where highway lighting had been disabled.
Police said accidents involving injuries and fatalities occurred during the prolonged period. In addition, repeated repairs pushed financial damage into millions of baht. Yet the thief repeatedly escaped within minutes using darkness, vegetation and his knowledge of electrical systems.
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Ultimately, more than 55 days of targeted surveillance brought police to Highway 24. At 12.30 am on August 4, the Honda Wave 110i motorcycle they had tracked finally appeared. Mr Somsak parked beside another lighting installation and approached the utility pole carrying his equipment.
This time, concealed officers were already waiting. Within moments, they moved before another set of cables could disappear. The arrest ended a theft campaign which police said had continued since May 2025. By then, Mr Somsak had admitted more than 50 offences. Meanwhile, damage to public infrastructure had climbed into millions of baht.
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