September 2, 2024 – True Corporation is taking decisive action against thieves stealing mobile tower equipment, which has disrupted customer services. The company has appointed a legal firm to collaborate with the police on all cases, including thefts of lithium batteries, cables, and base station equipment across Thailand. These thefts have caused significant service disruptions, particularly in the Eastern and Northeastern regions. True is expanding its efforts to work with police to track down the criminal gangs and their financial networks, aiming to prosecute all offenders to the fullest extent. The company is also investigating black markets buying stolen goods and warns consumers to be cautious when purchasing second-hand lithium batteries to avoid being duped into buying stolen property.
The damage from mobile tower equipment theft includes stolen lithium batteries, cables, air conditioners, and solar panels. Some locations have had metal equipment, ladders, and fences stolen, with thieves removing bolts, causing towers to collapse and harming local communities.
Recently, True Corporation has instructed the legal firm B and L to represent them in filing complaints with Pol. Lt. Col. Chatkanin Insorn at Phanthong Police Station in Chonburi Province, pressing charges against thieves who stole equipment from mobile signal towers in the Amata City Chonburi industrial estate area. The theft involved cutting cables to sell them, which temporarily halted signal tower services. Key evidence has been provided to aid further investigation.
Mr. Rittiron Preodprom, Attorney from B and L Law Firm, representing True Corporation, said, “These thefts severely impact mobile network services, which are essential digital infrastructure. Base stations have to shut down temporarily due to power supply disruptions, affecting many people’s ability to use mobile phones, including basic communication, daily apps, business, online transactions, and education, causing widespread public inconvenience.”
The legal firm will pursue criminal charges for theft, emphasizing serious offenses, whether committed by an individual or a group, using vehicles, or occurring at night. This falls under Section 335 of the Penal Code, with penalties of up to 7 years in prison and fines up to 100,000 baht, or both. The above criminal penalties cannot be settled, and civil claims for damages will also be pursued to the fullest extent.
B and L, representing True Corporation Public Company Limited, will work closely with police in all areas to investigate and capture all involved in the thefts, including dismantling operations dealing with stolen equipment, whether sold on black markets or online.
“Consumers should be cautious when purchasing second-hand equipment, especially lithium batteries often used with home solar systems. They should buy from reputable sellers and verify the source of the products to avoid inadvertently purchasing stolen goods,” Mr. Rittiron concluded.
Caption: Mr. Rittiron Preodprom, an attorney from B and L Law Firm representing True Corporation, accompanied by security officers from Amata City Industrial Estate who witnessed the theft, recently met with Pol. Lt. Col. Chatkanin Insorn at Phanthong Police Station in Chonburi Province to file charges against thieves who stole True’s mobile signal tower equipment in the Amata City Industrial Estate, Chonburi.
