Sri Racha, Chonburi – November 26th, 2025
A 35-year-old mackerel vendor in Chonburi province has been left unable to accept digital payments after a middle-aged man pretending to be a customer stole her mobile phone in broad daylight. The entire incident was recorded on the market’s CCTV cameras.
Ms. Saipin Nam-phet, who sells steamed mackerel at the Nakarin Fan night market (Soi 10), reported that the theft occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. on November 25th, 2025. She had briefly stepped away to use the restroom, leaving a neighbouring food vendor to watch her stall.
The suspect, described as a dark-skinned man aged approximately 45–50 with a short military-style haircut, was wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt, black trousers, and white sneakers. CCTV footage clearly shows him entering the market, glancing at the Oppo A5 smartphone (worth around 5,000 baht) placed on the counter for customers to scan and pay via mobile banking apps or the “Khon La Khrueng” (Half-Half) co-payment scheme.
After the vendor left her stall, the man returned, picked up a piece of steamed mackerel, asked its price from the neighbouring vendor, and then casually slipped the phone into his pocket. He paid cash for the fish to the adjacent stall holder and walked away calmly.
When Ms. Saipin returned minutes later, she discovered the phone was missing. Market security reviewed the CCTV footage, which clearly identified the thief. She immediately filed a police report at Laem Chabang Police Station and urged officers to track down the suspect.
The theft has caused significant inconvenience, as all of her payment QR codes, banking apps, and digital wallet information were stored on the stolen device. Customers can now only pay in cash, disrupting normal business operations.
“I just want him to have a change of heart and return the phone,” Ms. Saipin said. “I also want to warn other vendors to stay vigilant – thieves can disguise themselves as ordinary customers.”
Police are examining the clear CCTV images and have asked anyone who recognises the suspect to contact Laem Chabang Police Station.
