Mischievous Cat “Arrested” at Bangkok Police Station Gets Mugshot and Steals the Internet
A routine rescue at a Bangkok police station turned into viral comedy gold after an American Shorthair cat caused chaos, scratched multiple officers, and ended up with a mugshot that has taken the internet by storm.
The cat, later identified as Nub Tang (which translates to “counting money” in Thai), was brought to the station by a good Samaritan who believed she was lost. What should have been a straightforward attempt to reunite her with her owner quickly spiraled into slapstick mayhem.
A rescue gone wrong
Police officer Da Parinda Pakeesuk, who was on duty at the time, explained how the unexpected “case” landed in his lap.
"A kind person brought the cat to me while I was on duty. They didn’t give any details, just said the cat seemed lost and asked if I could help find the owner. I felt a bit confused. What should I do? So, I decided to post her photos on a few Facebook groups and my own page," he told Bored Panda.
But before Nub Tang could settle into her temporary safe haven, her feisty side emerged. She scratched and bit officers who tried to handle her, leading the amused team to jokingly treat her like a criminal.
Meet the mysterious cat who wandered into a Bangkok neighborhood wearing a pink harness and ended up at the police station
Someone brought her to Officer Da Parinda Pakeesuk, hoping the police could help track down her owner
The infamous mugshot
To lighten the mood, the officers staged a mugshot for Nub Tang, complete with her paw prints taken “for the record.” The photos — part rescue plea, part parody of a police booking — were uploaded to Facebook. Within hours, they went viral.
"I didn’t really think about it at first. I just wanted the cat to be reunited with its family," Officer Pakeesuk admitted. "But then a day later, I opened my Facebook and I was shocked by what had happened. So many people shared the post."
The viral images sparked an avalanche of reactions, with hundreds of comments, memes, and adoption offers flooding in. Some people wanted to give the “criminal cat” a new home, while others just wanted to follow her story.
What Research Shows About Our Relationship With Pets
Research by PLOS ONE indicates that pets, like cats, are often anthropomorphized, meaning we attribute human characteristics to them. This tendency not only deepens our bond with them but also makes their actions seem more humorous or relatable, increasing the likelihood of such content becoming popular on the internet. The 'arrest' and 'mugshot' of Nub Tang engage our inclination to humanize pets, adding to the charm of the story.
But before she could settle into her temporary home, the cat unleashed her inner diva, clawing and nipping at the very officers trying to help.
Understanding the Psychology of Viral Content
The virality of this story can be attributed to a psychological phenomenon known as 'emotional contagion.' This is a process where we 'catch' and experience the emotions expressed by others, leading to a chain reaction of shared feelings. When we see a humorous or cute event, like Nub Tang's mugshot, it triggers positive emotions and the desire to share this feeling with others. According to Dr. Dan Gilbert, a happiness researcher, "Emotions are contagious; we are wired to feel what others feel." This aligns with findings from various studies indicating that content which elicits strong emotions, whether positive or negative, is more likely to go viral.
A lesson in adoption
Despite the attention, Officer Pakeesuk reminded people that Nub Tang wasn’t up for adoption — her real family was likely searching for her.
"Many wanted to adopt the cat, probably because she’s cute and of a good breed," he explained. "But I told them there are many stray cats on the streets too. If you’re a true cat lover, consider adopting one of those — they’re just as lovable. This cat, however, should go back to her rightful owner. She must miss her owner very much, and the owner must miss her too."
To lighten the mood, the officers staged a mugshot for Nub Tang, complete with her paw prints taken “for the record.”
To verify the rightful owner, the officer carefully sorted through messages, asking potential claimants to describe Nub Tang’s distinctive features and provide details about where she had gone missing. It didn’t take long before the genuine owner was identified and reunited with their mischievous pet.
The photos — part rescue plea, part parody of a police booking — were uploaded to Facebook. Within hours, they went viral.
"Many wanted to adopt the cat, probably because she’s cute and of a good breed," he explained. "But I told them there are many stray cats on the streets too."
Our fascination with cats, especially their antics, can be explained by the 'biophilia hypothesis,' proposed by the biologist E.O. Wilson. This theory suggests that humans are innately attracted to other forms of life, including animals. An article from Frontiers in Psychology further supports this by showing how the presence of pets can reduce stress and improve mood, which could explain why content involving animals, particularly pets, is often well-received and widely shared.
The cat was reunited with its owners
Internet’s newest “criminal icon”
Although Nub Tang is now safely back home, her legacy as the internet’s most notorious (and adorable) feline “offender” lives on. Her mugshot continues to circulate widely, proving that sometimes, the internet doesn’t just fall in love with cats — it crowns them as legends.
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
In conclusion, the virality of Nub Tang's story can be understood through the lenses of emotional contagion, the biophilia hypothesis, and our tendency to anthropomorphize pets. Such psychological insights offer a deeper understanding of our complex relationship with animals and our behaviors on digital platforms. Despite our advancements in technology, our basic human nature—our emotions, love for life, and ability to empathize—continues to shape our experiences in the digital world.
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