Thai police disguised themselves as lion dancers to apprehend a 33-year-old suspected serial burglar at a Lunar New Year fair in Nonthaburi. Video shows officers under a red-and-gold lion costume pinning the suspect, who is accused of three break-ins at a police commander's home and stealing about 2 million baht. Police traced him through stolen amulets he sold; he confessed, saying he stole to fund drugs and gambling, and has prior convictions.
Thai Police Nab Serial Burglar While Disguised as Lion Dancer at Temple Fair
In this image released by Thailand’s Metropolitan Police Bureau, Thai police disguised as lion dance performers catch a burglary suspect at a temple fair in Nonthaburi province, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (The Metropolitan Police Bureau via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
BANGKOK (AP) — In an imaginative sting operation, Bangkok police went undercover beneath a traditional lion dance costume to arrest a suspected serial burglar who had repeatedly eluded capture.
Creative Sting During Lunar New Year Festivities
Video released by the Bangkok Police Department shows officers concealed under a red-and-gold lion outfit approaching a man as he walked through a Lunar New Year fair at a temple in Nonthaburi, a province bordering Bangkok. Seconds later, the officer holding the papier-mâché lion head lunged forward and pinned the 33-year-old suspect to the ground.
How Investigators Traced the Suspect
Authorities say the man is accused of breaking into the home of a local police commander three times earlier this month, stealing items valued at about 2 million baht (roughly $64,000). Police had tried to arrest him on several prior occasions but said he would spot officers and flee.
Investigators tracked the suspect by tracing stolen amulets he had sold and learned he frequented temples in Nonthaburi, which led to the decision to use the lion dance as a covert approach during the holiday fair.
Confession and Background
Police said the suspect confessed to the burglaries, telling officers he stole to buy drugs and to fund gambling. They added he has previous convictions for drug offenses and burglary.
Context: While the Lunar New Year is not an official public holiday in Thailand, celebrations are common and lion dances are a traditional feature — providing a plausible and effective cover for the operation.
The operation highlights how local police adapted cultural festivities to execute a targeted arrest after other methods failed. Authorities released the video to the public following the successful arrest.
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