Bangkok police stunned after homeless man presents police ID

January 21, 2026 2:10 AM•Read Original Source

Officers from Prawet Police Station, Bangkok, were left surprised after stopping a shirtless man during a routine patrol yesterday, January 20, only to find out he was carrying a police ID badge showing the rank of police captain.

The incident occurred in a community area along the motorway frontage road in Bangkok’s Prawet district. According to a post on the Prawet Police Station Facebook page, officers were on patrol when they encountered a man who appeared to be homeless, barefoot, and with unkept hair. Officers requested identification.

To their shock, the man pulled out a government-issued police ID card that listed him as a commissioned officer with the rank of Police Captain. The man confidently told the officers that he was not homeless but an undercover cop on a secret assignment to gather intelligence in the local area.

In a light-hearted Facebook post, Prawet Police jokingly said the man’s appearance and confidence were so convincing, it was hard to tell whether he was an extremely committed undercover police officer or someone genuinely unstable.

The story quickly went viral on Thai social media, with many amused by both the incident and the tone of the post.

However, TV presenter Sorayuth Suthassanachinda revealed today, January 21, that the man was, in fact, not a police officer. According to Pol. Col. Tossaphol Amphaipipatkul, superintendent of Prawet Police Station, the man was confirmed to be homeless.

The ID card is believed to be an old or lost badge belonging to a Metropolitan Police Bureau officer, which the man may have found and kept. Officers have since documented his details and are working to trace any family connections.

In a similar incident last May, a homeless man left motorists confused after performing a martial arts-like dance in the middle of a busy road. At first, witnesses feared he was armed, but it turned out he was simply holding an umbrella.

Prawet Police Incident Quiz

Answer the quiz. Tap Next to go to the next question.

1/10

1. What was the appearance of the man stopped by the Prawet Police officers?

A Well-dressed B Shirtless and barefoot C Wearing a uniform D In a business suit
2. What did the man show to the police officers?

A A driver's license B A police ID badge C A passport D A birth certificate
3. What rank did the man claim to hold?

A Police Sergeant B Police Captain C Lieutenant D Chief of Police
4. What did the man claim about his situation to the officers?

A He was lost B He was undercover C He was on vacation D He was a tourist
5. What was the Prawet Police's reaction to the man's appearance?

A They arrested him immediately B They were confused whether he was an officer or unstable C They ignored him D They offered him a job
6. What was revealed about the man the day after the incident?

A He was a real police officer B He was a famous actor C He was actually homeless D He was a tourist
7. What does the ID card likely belong to?

A A current police officer B An old or lost badge C A civilian D A security guard
8. Where did the incident take place?

A In a shopping mall B On a motorway frontage road C In a park D At a police station
9. How did the story spread after the incident?

A It was published in newspapers B It went viral on Thai social media C It was ignored D It was a private matter
10. What are officers at Prawet Police Station doing regarding the man?

A They are ignoring him B They are tracing his family connections C They are offering him a job D They are charging him