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Andrew John Matthews was allegedly seen on CCTV footage raiding the store in broad daylight
Andrew John Matthews was paraded by police in the tourist resort of Pattaya, where he was arrested for breaking a window in the dope shop – which it has been reported he had been visiting regularly to buy marijuana.
But he has seemingly landed himself in trouble after he allegedly broke into the shop when it was closed and helped himself to some particularly strong ‘wacky backy’.
He now faces a potential prison sentence, though it’s more likely he will get a hefty fine instead.
In a video taken by news agency Newsflare, the 23-year-old Belfast man is filmed sitting calmly chatting to a police officer.
He can he heard saying he got “spiked” and is also heard telling the police he texted the man who owns the shop to “say sorry”.
Another man, who appears to be his friend and sounds like he also from Belfast, can be heard talking to the police about money and passports.
Referring to the police station, he says to the police: “So he’s going to be sitting there for a few hours?”
He then asks Matthews as police put him into a police car, “Do you want me to sit with you?”
To which Matthews replies, “Obviously”.
It is claimed Matthews broke a window and then stole marijuana products worth more than 10,000 baht (€240) from the BudBox Cannabis Shop in Pattaya shortly after 1am on Monday.
According to police, Matthews has admitted to stealing cannabis products from the shop but has insisted he did not take any cash.
He was allegedly seen on CCTV footage raiding the store in broad daylight, ransacking a refrigerator containing packets of the controlled substance.
After getting into the shop, police claim he smoked the marijuana – described as being stronger than expected – before falling asleep.
He subsequently woke up, bought more cannabis products and continued smoking at various different locations across the resort.
The suspect is described as an Irish national by the news site Thaiger and on others outlets he is said to have an address in Belfast.
In the video he is heard telling the police: “I’m from Ireland, Northern Ireland.”
The Sunday World understands Matthews is from east Belfast.
Officers from Pattaya City Police Investigation Unit arrested him on Thursday after tracing his movements through CCTV footage.
An arrest warrant was issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court for the offence of “theft by damaging a barrier for protecting a person or property” in Pattaya.
He was taken to Pattaya City Police Station for legal proceedings. Cannabis has been decriminalised in Thailand and legal to purchase since 2022.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ensarn said: “After getting the items he wanted, he went to smoke until he got high and fell asleep. When he woke up, he bought more weed to smoke, and kept changing his hotel until he was arrested by the police.
“He has been handed over to the inquiry officer of Pattaya City Police Station for further legal action.”
Shop owner Adipon Na Rerk (35) said Matthews was a regular at his shop.
He added: “I recognised him. He visits my store every day. At the time of the incident, the shop was closed and empty, giving him an opportunity to steal my products.”
Under Section 335 of the Thai Criminal Code, the offence carries a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of up to 100,000 baht (£2,400).
Cannabis with under 0.2 per cent of THC was decriminalised in Thailand in June 2022, and cannabis smoking is allowed for personal use in private areas.
“}]] This is the ‘dopey’ Belfast man allegedly caught on CCTV breaking into a cannabis shop in Thailand where he smoked some stolen gear and then fell asleep! Read More
