Police arrest eight over alleged thefts from Phuket airport warehouse
Police in Phuket say eight suspects stole electronic goods from Phuket International Airport’s cargo warehouse more than eight times, causing losses of over B3 million.
Police have arrested eight suspects accused of stealing mobile phones, electronic devices and gaming equipment from a cargo warehouse at Phuket International Airport, with reported losses exceeding B3 million.
Phuket provincial police chief Surachai Suksai and Sakhu police chief Salan Santisasakul announced the arrests on 4 November 2026. The suspects were detained at a checkpoint in front of a village headman’s house in Sakhu, Thalang district, before officers searched three homes in the district.
Police identified the suspects as Somchai Khunphon, Watcharapong Nuea-on, Kittikorn Chanchuklin, Hathairat Musikphan, Intira Sutthit, Siris Yangpong, Natthakorn Sukchuang and Phongsiri Khiamsil.
Investigators said the group included employees of a private logistics company who were assigned to transport goods from the airport warehouse to Russia. Police allege that they used their access to cargo-handling procedures to remove goods from freight containers during loading and transfer them to vehicles before passing them to buyers.
The first reported incident took place at about 12.22am on 2 November 2025, when Intira Sutthit and Natthakorn Sukchuang allegedly drove a black Isuzu pickup truck to the warehouse. Police said the group had carried out similar thefts more than eight times.
Searches of the three homes recovered 108 items, including Vivo, Oppo, Redmi, Realme, Poco and Honor phones, tablets, smartwatches, wireless earphones, Bluetooth speakers, smart glasses and Nintendo gaming equipment. Police also seized two pickup trucks and two Honda PCX motorcycles allegedly linked to the offences.
Police said Phongsiri Khiamsil was an alleged buyer of mobile phones and electronic equipment obtained through the thefts and that further related property was seized. The suspects face charges that vary according to their alleged roles, including joint night-time theft at an airport by two or more people, using vehicles to facilitate the offence or remove the property, and receiving stolen goods.
Police said the investigation was continuing, including checks on financial transactions and efforts to identify other people who may have been involved.
