Pattaya police arrest thief who stole from foreign tourists while they were swimming

Police in Pattaya on Saturday announced the arrest of a Thai man who they say is responsible for a spate of thefts from foreign tourists.

Police said that Thanakorn Saiwong, 29, would prowl the swimming pool areas of local condos and hotels looking for foreigners who had left their room keys unattended on their chairs when they went for a swim.

Police said Thanakorn would commit the thefts from condos and hotel which he knew displayed the room number on the key. Once he had taken the key he would simply enter the victim’s room and help himself to the their personal belongings.

In four separate incidents in just the past week, Thanakorn had stolen cash and valuables totalling 300,000 baht, which included an iPhone 8, a MacBook computer, watches, credit cards and passports. 

Police said they were able to catch Thanakorn, who was known to them, by studying CCTV footage. 

Police said the thefts took place at Laguna Beach 3 Resort, Rizin Hotel, AP guesthouse and Jomtien Thip Condo.

The victims were identified as Aleksandr Soltanov, Denis Kurchenko, Ralf Udo Mayer and Britt Ulf Niklas Birgersson.

Thanakorn has been charged with carrying out the theft now faces between 1 year to 5 years and fined from 20,000 baht to 100,000 baht.

Police added that the stolen items will be returned to the victims.

Thai Visa / Ruk Siam News

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