Major theft at Wachira Hospital

PHUKET: Police have issued a warning to patients visiting Phuket Town’s Wachira Hospital after a 73-year-old woman who went there for tests was robbed of valuables worth 500,000 baht. The woman, Khun Lamay Lakthan of Chaong, was asked to change into a hospital gown so that X-rays could be taken. A man she later described as being between 40 to 50 years old, polite, good-looking and wearing a safari suit similar to those worn by some government employees, escorted her to the X-ray room. Pointing to her gold necklace, the man told her that she should take it off since the metal might affect the X-rays. He told her he would look after her belongings until she had finished in the room. Apart from the 90-gram necklace, she also handed him her umbrella and five rare amulets. When she came out of the X-ray room, she could not find the man. Staff told her they did not know who he was. A police spokesman told the Gazette that investigations into the theft are underway. He added that people should be aware that with the current poor economy, thieves might be found anywhere. A large, crowded place such as a hospital, with people constantly coming and going, would be a good venue for such operators, he said. The director of Wachira Hospital could not be contacted for comment.