Bag-snatch raiders score three times

PHUKET: Three motorbike handbag snatchings have sparked a police hunt for the perpetrators – and a warning to women to be wary until the snatchers are caught. The first case took place on Wednesday in front of Moo Ban Perm Sin on Thepkrasattri Rd. Suwai Wanbutra, 25, was riding her motorbike back home from Phuket Town, when two men rode up alongside and snatched the handbag from her front basket, taking with them about 300 baht in cash and some important documents. K. Suwai said that the two men were about 23 years old. One was wearing a blue shirt and the other a striped shirt. She could not see the license plate because one of the men covered it with his leg. The following day, on Chao Fa East Rd in front of the T. Songsaeng Hotel, Jintana Nuduang, 35, was riding toward her home in Phuket Villa 3, her handbag also in the front basket, when two men, who she estimates were about 18 or 19 years old, rode a Suzuki RC alongside and snatched her handbag. She told police the man on the back of the bike said “hello” to her. In her handbag were 1,700 baht, a mobile phone, and some important documents. On the same day, in front of the Esso gas station on the bypass road, close to the Tesco Lotus Supercentre, Supat Yindee, 31, was riding her motorbike home, handbag in the front basket, when two men on a red Honda Dream drove up alongside and snatched her handbag. The motorbike had no license plate. In the handbag were 2,000 baht, a credit card, three ATM cards, a passport, and other important documents. Anyone who may have information about the identity of the snatchers is urged call the nearest police station.