CHONBURI — 11 November 2026, Police have arrested a suspect who allegedly cut five main power cables connected to backup generators at Chonburi Hospital, potentially putting hundreds of patients dependent on ventilators at risk if a power outage had occurred.
Chonburi Hospital reported that an intruder had entered the hospital premises at approximately 14:30 on 10 November and attempted to steal electrical cables connected to its backup power generators.
Hospital staff discovered suspicious activity during a routine inspection. Upon being spotted, the suspect jumped through a window and fled the scene without taking anything.
An inspection revealed that five main power cables connected to the hospital’s generators had been cut, leaving the backup power system unable to supply electricity to several hospital buildings in the event of a power outage.
The affected buildings included the Sor Kor, Chalatit and Chonlathan buildings, as well as the hospital’s computer centre.
According to the hospital, these buildings accommodate hundreds of patients who rely on ventilators. Had a power outage occurred, the damaged generators would have been unable to provide backup electricity, potentially disrupting life-support equipment and putting patients at serious risk.
The hospital estimated the cost of repairing the damaged cables at approximately 300,000 baht.
Police from Mueang Chonburi Police Station arrested the suspect at approximately 18:00 on the same day, around three and a half hours after the incident was reported.
The hospital thanked Pol Col Somchai Thiwongsa, superintendent of Mueang Chonburi Police Station, for immediately deploying investigators and swiftly apprehending the suspect.
Hospital officials stressed that while the estimated repair costs were relatively modest, the potential consequences for patients could have been far more severe.
They noted that the resale value of the stolen cables would have been insignificant compared with the damage caused and the potential threat to the lives of patients dependent on the hospital’s backup power supply.