Police in Khon Kaen province, northeastern Thailand, responded to a call at 2:05 a.m. on 22/9 reporting someone attempting to remove an ATM from a Siam Commercial Bank branch in Mueang district. Upon arrival, they discovered a man driving a pickup truck with no license plates, dragging the main body of an ATM behind him.

Sijtse Koovlar, a 60-year-old Dutch national, was arrested at the scene. Authorities said Koovlar used a hand truck and his pickup truck to pull the ATM from its installation.

The pickup truck drags the ATM along a road in Mueang district, Khon Kaen province, Thailand on 22/9. Photo: The Nation

The pickup truck drags the ATM along a road in Mueang district, Khon Kaen province, Thailand on 22/9. Photo: The Nation

Koovlar, a retiree living in Khon Kaen, admitted trying to steal money from the ATM due to financial difficulties. He claimed to have transferred 10 million baht (over 314,000 USD) to his Thai wife for investment purposes. However, she said it wasn't enough, leading to an argument. Koovlar then attempted the theft in a fit of anger.

Police confirmed that Koovlar tested negative for drugs.

Huyen Le (The Nation, Straits Times)