Daring theft: Italian tourist nabs cash from Pattaya hotel desk
A brazen early-morning theft has left a Pattaya hotel owner furious after an Italian guest was caught on CCTV swiping 4,000 baht from the front desk before making a hasty exit.
The suspect, identified as Andrea (surname withheld), checked into the small hotel on Soi Bua Khao on Friday, November 29 and checked out under suspicious circumstances early on Sunday morning, December 1. According to police, Andrea used the quiet hours to his advantage, executing the theft before staff arrived for their shifts.
Darinraya Kongsook, the 36 year old owner of the hotel, described the incident in detail.
“The guest pretended to press the reception bell, then walked behind the desk and searched for valuables. He took 4,000 baht from a pink bag on the desk, returned the room key, and fled.”
The entire act was captured on the hotel’s security camera, providing clear footage of the suspect’s movements. Police are now using the recording to track Andrea’s whereabouts, with investigations ongoing.
This incident highlights the importance of securing valuables, especially in small establishments with limited staff. Local businesses in the bustling Soi Bua Khao area are now on alert, as similar incidents can tarnish the reputation of Pattaya’s tourism industry.
Police are urging anyone with information about Andrea to come forward as they intensify efforts to locate the culprit, reported Pattaya News.
In related news, four foreign suspects robbed a Ukrainian man of 250,000 USDT, approximately 8.5 million baht, at a hotel in the Kamala neighbourhood of Phuket. The 23 year old victim filed a complaint with Kamala Police Station on Saturday, November 9, reporting that he was robbed by four foreigners the previous night, November 8. The incident occurred in a hotel room in the Kamala area.
In other news, Pattaya police launched a manhunt for a thief who snatched a gold ring from a jewellery store in the city centre.
