A female somtum (papaya salad) vendor in Hat Yai has been left traumatised after her shop was repeatedly targeted by thieves, with more than 15 break-ins reported since late last year.
The 26-year-old owner, identified only as Ms A, said the incidents began in November 2025 and escalated in January 2026 after a large wok went missing. In response, she installed CCTV cameras — but just three days later, the system captured a teenage suspect casually entering the back of her shop and taking items as if he were browsing.
“He would just walk in and pick things up like he owned the place. He seemed very familiar with the surroundings. At night, he would sneak in again to steal loose cash we kept in the shop,” she said.
Among the items stolen across 15 separate incidents were ice bucket stands, two camping table sets, large frying pans measuring 40 and 60 inches, kitchen equipment, petrol, and cash taken on five occasions. The total losses are estimated to exceed 10,000 baht.
Despite lodging a police report and even encountering the suspect previously, Ms A claimed she was told that no immediate action could be taken as the crime did not occur in the presence of officers. She said the suspect has continued to roam freely in the area for nearly three months, leaving her in constant fear.
Her ordeal worsened on April 20 at around 1.40am, when another intruder broke into the shop and cleared out the remaining kitchenware.
“I’m devastated. I sell somtum for just 50 baht per serving. Imagine how many plates I need to make, how many days of hard work it takes just to recover losses of over 10,000 baht,” she said.
A neighbouring fruit seller also reported similar thefts, including stolen electrical wiring and a stall table. She noted that such incidents were previously unheard of in the area but have increased following recent major floods in Hat Yai.
Both victims have lodged police reports and provided CCTV footage that clearly shows the suspects. They are now urging authorities to act swiftly, warning that the rising theft cases are causing fear among residents and severely affecting small businesses in the area.
