Classy thief robs government officers

PHUKET TOWN: A well-dressed thief who allegedly specialized in daring walk-in robberies of government offices is being questioned by police. Prayoon Kruekaew, 26, of Phuket, was arrested at his home on Patipat Rd this afternoon after what appeared to be his latest stunt. He confessed to pulling eight robberies in Phuket and five in Haad Yai. His method was to drive a hired car to a government office with a file of documents and to ask to see the chief of that department around noon. Prayoon usually persuaded officers to let him wait unattended during the lunch break, and then stole any cash left lying around. Pol Capt Akanit Danpitaksan of Phuket Town Police Station said the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) on Wednesday reported that money belonging to an officer was stolen, and they figured it was done by a person who came in about noon. A PPHO officer described the man and his Honda Civic and police arrested Prayoon today at his home. He confessed to the PPHO robbery and to similar thefts at Phuket Provincial Hall, the Phuket Town Municipal Office, Satree Phuket School and the Phuket Provincial Transportation Office. Officers confiscated a mobile phone, a TV set and a stereo believed to have been bought with the stolen money, and were today questioning the suspect further.