Baht luck: German and Indian tourists pickpocketed in Pattaya
A German man yesterday lost about 6,000 baht in cash while an Indian man lost over 13,000 baht in a pickpocketing incident in Pattaya.
The 67 year old German victim, Manfred Frey, along with his Thai wife and his friend, visited Mueang Pattaya Police Station yesterday, March 16, to report the theft. He stated that he was pickpocketed outside a bar on Pattaya Soi 5, where his friend was working.
The victim’s friend suspected a migrant worker and her child of being the culprits. She told the police that her friend was drinking beer at the bar when the two suspects approached him to sell sweets. However, the German man declined to buy any.
The German man remained at the bar for a while and ordered more drinks. Unfortunately, he was unable to pay the bill as his wallet disappeared. The wallet contained 6,000 baht in cash and his documents.
While the police were questioning Frey and his friend, another victim arrived to report a similar crime. The 26 year old Indian man, Vishal Takkar, informed the police that he was pickpocketed outside the DC Hotel in the southern Pattaya area.
Takkar explained that he was standing outside the hotel, enjoying the evening atmosphere, when a Thai transwoman approached him to borrow a lighter.
Takkar lent her the lighter and engaged in conversation with her. He admitted that the transwoman touched his body, and he felt comfortable with it, causing him to let his guard down.
The Indian man later discovered that his wallet was missing after the transwoman left. The wallet contained 7,000 baht in cash and US$200.
Daily News reported that both foreigners were visiting Pattaya for the first time. They expressed disappointment and concern for their safety and hoped that the police would swiftly apprehend the suspects in both cases.
Three other theft victims came forward in Pattaya three weeks ago. The three foreigners, Swiss, French, and Australian nationals, reported thefts at Mueang Pattaya Police Station.
The Swiss man reported that two Thai men, posing as boxers, approached him on Pattaya Walking Street, hugged him, and then fled with his 5,000 baht in cash. The French tourist lost 57,000 baht to a transwoman on South Pattaya Beach, while the Australian man had his motorcycle stolen by an unidentified thief.
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