Foreigner robbed of 800,000 baht on his first day back in Isaan village

A 32 year old man from the United States had a terrible first day back in his Thai wife’s village when thieves made off with cash and valuables worth 800,000 baht. 

Craig Bennett (name transliterated from Thai and possibly incorrect) and his wife Sumruay, 36, had arrived back in Thailand from the States and had headed immediately for the village of Thung Wang in Sateuk district of Buriram in Thailand’s North East. 

They were staying at Sumruay’s mother’s house and were preparing to have a house blessing ceremony at a property built for the family.

But at 2 am they were disturbed by noises and saw a thin man flee with valuables kept in a bag. He jumped on a motorcycle with an accomplice and escaped into the night. 

It was the couple’s first night back. 

The thief got $10,000 US, an ATM card, Thai money and 5 baht weight of gold. They even took Mr Bennett’s passport. It was all valued at 800,000 baht. 

Sumruay went on TV to say to say she wouldn’t press charges if they got everything back. 

YouTube posters were in no doubt that this was an inside job. Many sympathized with the foreigner.

Police said it should be a simple matter to arrest those responsible. 

Thai Visa / Thai Rath

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