Duty-free heist puts Phuket airport employee behind bars

PHUKET: A Phuket Air Catering employee confessed to stealing duty-free items while transporting food to a plane bound for Finland at Phuket International Airport yesterday afternoon.

“Sitthichai Srirat, 28, stole a total of 18 duty-free items, including expensive watches, perfumes, a pen and a necklace,” explained Tah Chat Chai Police Superintendent Somchai Sanprasert.

Cabin crew on Finnair AY038 Phuket to Helsinki noticed that the items were missing and immediately contacted airport security, who called in the police.

“We arrived at Gate 6 and found the items hidden under a blanket on the high-loader truck,” explained Col Somchai. “We started questioning employees. Eventually, Mr Sitthichai confessed that he stole the items as the passengers were boarding the plane.”

Mr Sitthichai was charged with theft.

— Winai Sarot