Chonburi, Thailand – May 6th, 2026
A 58-year-old roadside watermelon vendor has been defrauded of approximately 1,680 baht by a young female factory worker who repeatedly took fruit on credit, promising to pay via bank transfer before disappearing.
Nang Sawan Lekchaeng, who sells watermelons along the Laem Thong-Sahaphat road in Moo 10, Thung Sukhla subdistrict, Sri Racha district, lodged a complaint with reporters today. She described how the woman gained her trust by first making small legitimate purchases before exploiting her goodwill.
According to Mrs. Sawan, the woman first bought two watermelons and paid normally. She returned shortly afterward to buy three more, again paying in full. On her third visit, she took six watermelons (five on credit plus one additional), claiming she would transfer 300 baht immediately but later said she could not complete the banking transaction. She promised to return with cash but never did.
The following day, while Mrs. Sawan was away, the woman approached the vendor’s husband, took another five watermelons, and pretended to scan a QR code to make payment. No money was transferred.
A few days later, the woman returned and asked for more melons, saying many people at the factory had ordered them after trying the fruit and becoming fond of it. Mrs. Sawan, feeling sympathetic and hoping the woman could earn extra income, allowed her to take another batch, reportedly 10 watermelons on the final occasion, after the woman repeatedly assured her, “Trust me, I’ll be right back.”
The woman never returned. Mrs. Sawan said the total loss amounted to 1,680 baht. She noted that she had sold the melons to the woman at a reduced price of 70 baht each (normally 80 baht), so the scammer could resell them at 90 baht and make a small profit.
Mrs. Sawan expressed deep disappointment, saying she had pitied the woman and wanted to help her earn extra money. “I feel very hurt. I tried to be kind so she could have some income,” she told reporters. She added that she has video footage of the woman taking the last batch of 10 watermelons, which she recorded discreetly as evidence.
The vendor warned others to be cautious, stating that she will no longer allow strangers to take goods on credit in the future.
The incident has not yet been formally reported to police, but Mrs. Sawan appealed for the woman to return and pay what she owes.
