Last updated on August 21st, 2024 at 07:24 am
โข Why It Matters: Cannabis shops are increasingly becoming targets for theft, reflecting both the growing visibility and potential vulnerabilities of the industry.
โข Driving the News: A thief recently stole a high-value bong from a cannabis shop in Pattaya, raising concerns about security in cannabis retail.
โข Zoom In: The thief, described as a man in his late twenties, was seen on CCTV scouting the shop before making off with the item.
PATTAYA, THAILAND โ In a bold daylight heist, a man walked into a cannabis shop in Pattaya and made off with a glass bong valued at 1,800 Baht. The incident, which took place on the evening of August 7, has raised questions about the security measures in place at such establishments.
According to the shopโs employee, JARUTAT THONGSALAB, the thief, a Thai man believed to be in his late twenties, scouted the area multiple times before entering the store. He was seen on CCTV walking around the shop for nearly a minute before grabbing the bong from a display case and fleeing on a white Honda PCX motorcycle.
The thiefโs actions have sparked concerns about the security of cannabis shops in Thailand, especially as the industry continues to grow following the decriminalization of cannabis in 2022. Critics of cannabis legalization often argue that it could lead to increased crime, but itโs essential to note that thefts of this nature are not unique to cannabis-related businesses.
Cannabis advocates stress that incidents like this should not overshadow the benefits of legalization, including improved public health and economic opportunities.
Local authorities are currently investigating the incident, and the shop has provided CCTV footage to assist in the identification and capture of the suspect.
Contributing Sources: Naewna
