Boat driver caught for robbing HK tourists

PHUKET: Six Hong Kong tourists had over 32,000 baht stolen as they were snorkelling near Phi Phi Island yesterday, but police managed to arrest the thief yesterday morning and recover the money. The thief, 22-year-old Wachira Thongsarng, is an employee of PP Adventure, which runs speedboat day-trips out of the Boat Lagoon. Wachira was taken into custody by Phuket Tourist Police when he reported for work yesterday morning as usual. Pol Capt Chaiyapong Kanpai, Deputy Inspector of the Phuket Tourist Police, said investigators found all the stolen cash, which included 4,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 22,000 baht), in a bag in Wachira’s home. The Nakhon Sri Thammarat native confessed to the crime and said that he had acted alone. The six victims, who declined to answer questions from the press, were identified as Chow Pui Man, Chow Pui Yee, Chow Lai Sheung, Fung Man Ling, Lam Yai Yee and Chueng Ming Yan. They told police they did not realize they had been robbed until they returned to their hotel, where a staff member helped them file a criminal complaint. Wachira will now be charged with theft.