Bold Bandit Strikes Pattaya Cannabis Shop: Smashes In & Steals Stash
PATTAYA – A daring daytime heist rocked Budbox Pattaya yesterday as a bold foreign thief shattered the glass doors and made off with cannabis products worth approximately 10,000 baht.
The break-in occurred around 11 a.m. on February 2, while the shop, located in front of the JA Plus Hotel on Soi Chalermprakiat 3, was closed. With no staff present, the audacious thief had free rein to loot the store.
It wasn’t until the following morning that 35-year-old shop owner Atipon Na Ruek turned over crucial CCTV footage to the police. The high-definition video provided a clear view of the crime—and, in an unexpected twist, revealed that the culprit was a familiar face.
Identified as a regular customer, the thief appeared to know the store’s layout, giving him an advantage in executing the theft, according to Pattaya News.
Police on the Hunt
Shocked by the violation, Atipon wasted no time filing a formal complaint at Pattaya City Police Station.
His case was assigned to Police Lieutenant Colonel Wuttinan Kongdee, who is leading the investigation.
With the detailed CCTV footage and Atipon’s testimony, authorities are confident they will track down the brazen bandit soon.
Cannabis Crime on the Rise?
Since Thailand decriminalized cannabis in 2022, legal dispensaries have flourished across Pattaya. However, incidents like this highlight new security challenges faced by business owners in the booming industry.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, a cannabis shop owner in Krabi is offering a 2,000 baht reward for information on two foreign men who stole cannabis from the Smok XXX shop at Pu Dam Market on January 17. CCTV footage captured the suspects, both carrying backpacks, casually walking away with their stolen goods.
As Thailand’s legal cannabis market expands, dispensary owners may need to tighten security to prevent more “high-stakes” heists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bold Bandit Strikes Pattaya Weed Shop and More
On February 2, a foreign thief broke into Budbox Pattaya, smashed the glass doors, and stole cannabis products worth approximately 10,000 baht while the store was closed.
The burglary took place around 11 a.m. on February 2, 2025, when no staff members were present.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Wuttinan Kongdee is leading the investigation at Pattaya City Police Station.
Yes, high-definition CCTV footage captured the suspect, who was later identified as a regular customer familiar with the store layout.
As of now, the thief is still at large, but authorities are using CCTV footage to track him down.
Since the legalization of Thai cannabis in 2022, legal dispensaries have expanded rapidly, but security concerns, including theft, have also increase
Owners of a cannabis dispensary can enhance security by upgrading surveillance systems, reinforcing entry points, hiring on-site security personnel, and implementing stricter access controls.
Yes, a cannabis boutique in Krabi also reported a theft on January 17, offering a 2,000 baht reward for information leading to the suspects.
Pattaya is home to over 200 licensed cannabis dispensaries, with new ones opening frequently as Thailand’s cannabis market continues to grow.
Many licensed dispensaries in Pattaya offer quality cannabis, including top-tier flower strains, concentrates, and infused products catering to both recreational and medical users.
Yes, several ganja dispensary locations in Pattaya sell a variety of cannabis edibles, such as THC-infused gummies, brownies, and beverages.
Tourists can legally purchase and consume cannabis from licensed dispensaries in Thailand, but public consumption is prohibited, and transporting cannabis across borders is illegal.
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