Knife-wielding bag snatcher bagged by Phuket police

PHUKET: Police snared the knife-wielding thief who threatened and robbed a Chinese couple last night at Karon View Point in just over 24 hours.

“We were notified about the attack at about 10:30 yesterday morning,” said Lt Col Ason Jiraksa of the Karon Police. “The victims said the man threatened them with a knife, snatched the woman’s bag and then sped away on a motorbike.”

Police were able to make a positive identification from CCTV and moved in to arrest Sommai Promboot, 23, at his apartment in Rassada at about 11pm.

“On the bed we saw the knife, an iPhone and a camera,” Col Ason said.

Mr Sommai confessed that he had stolen the bag. He said that he was in need of money because he had lost his job.

He was charged with theft and using a vehicle to commit a crime.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong