Phuket police chase down snatch-theft duo

PHUKET: Phuket police quickly scooped up a pair of bag-snatch operators working in Patong late last night.

“We received a report at about 11:40pm from a witness saying that a female foreigner had her bag stolen in front of Patong Hospital while she was walking with a friend,” Sutthichai Thianpho of the Patong Police told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

From the witness’s description, police were able to spot the two suspects.

“We followed them to Soi Cable on Phra Baramee Road, where the suspects ditched their motorbike and attempted to flee on foot,” Lt Col Sutthichai said. “They left the stolen bag in the motorbike basket, so we were able to recover it.”

After a two-hour hunt, police arrested Piyachai Chaiseeha, 20, and Thammanoon Prangthong, also 20, and charged them with gang theft.

“Mr Piyachai and Mr Thammanoon confessed to having taken the bag, and to having committed snatch-thefts multiple times before this incident,” Col Sutthichai said.

Police recovered more stolen items at the men’s rental room.

“Anyone who thinks their items might be among those recovered should come to the Patong Police Station to identify them,” Col Sutthichai said.

— Chutharat Plerin