Songkiat’s comment was made during a press conference about the seizure of a Honda Civic sedan reported as stolen in Than To district on July 26. It was one of three vehicles reported stolen in Yala since May.
Yala police superintendent Colonel Sukhon Sri-arun said investigations found the three vehicles were not stolen but the owners had filed complaints to collect insurance money because they were behind in their car payments.
Such an action was a Criminal Code violation and punishable by up to two years in prison and/or Bt4,000 in fines, he added.
Meanwhile, police continued to watch out for four pickup trucks reported missing, for fear insurgents might use them in attacks.