Pattaya Reservoir Fishing Trip Ends with Motorcycle Gone, Clothes Missing

PATTAYA, Thailand – A 61-year-old fisherman was left wearing only his underwear after thieves allegedly stole his motorcycle, clothes, and belongings while he was setting fishing nets at Mabprachan Reservoir in Pattaya on Sunday morning, July 27. At approximately 9:39 a.m., reporters outside Nongprue Police Station noticed an elderly man, visibly distressed and dressed only in black underwear while carrying a blue motorcycle helmet, walking into the station to report the theft of his motorcycle. The victim, identified as 61-year-old Anon Kaewphaisan, known locally as “Uncle Wat,” told police he had ridden his white-and-blue Honda Wave 125 motorcycle to Mabprachan Reservoir in Pong Subdistrict, East Pattaya, to set fishing nets. He parked the motorcycle beside the reservoir, removed his clothes and left them on the bank with the motorcycle key inside his trouser pocket before entering the water. When he returned, both his motorcycle and clothes had disappeared. Only his helmet and a pair of sandals remained, forcing him to walk out wearing only his underwear while seeking help. Anon said that before entering the water he noticed a man and woman sitting near his motorcycle but did not suspect anything. When he came back, both individuals were gone, along with his motorcycle and clothing. The victim appealed to the thieves to return the motorcycle, explaining that he had only recently begun paying it off. He added that not only did he lose his vehicle and belongings, but he also returned home without catching any fish. Officials from Pong Municipality said they were initially called after members of the public reported seeing a man walking along the roadside in only his underwear, fearing he may have been mentally distressed. After speaking with him, officers discovered he was the victim of a theft and escorted him to Nongprue Police Station to file a report. Police are gathering evidence and reviewing CCTV footage from the area as they work to identify and apprehend the suspects.