Phuket police warn of snatch bandits

PHUKET: Chalong Police are urging all women riding motorbikes to be wary of snatch bandits after a young woman had her gold necklace stolen in broad daylight yesterday.

Thitiporn Somjan, a 23-year-old from Sakhon Nakhon, told police she was riding along Soi Na Yai with a work colleague at about 3pm when she was robbed.

They were returning to their office at Chao Fa Thani residential estate on Chao Fa West Road after shopping at the Julaphan store on Chao Fa East Road.

“I was not driving fast. I was carrying some of my shopping between my legs and some in the bike basket when I noticed a young guy wearing a helmet trailing us,” Ms Thitiporn said.

“Then he pulled alongside and grabbed my T-shirt collar, nearly touching my breasts. Then he grabbed my two-saleung gold necklace and sped off. While he was riding away he looked back as if he was laughing at me,” said the victim.

She said the necklace was worth about 10,000 baht.

Although frightened, Ms Thitiporn remembered the thief’s motorbike license plate number and asked her friend to call the police.

Chalong Police set up checkpoints throughout the area, but failed to find the suspect.

“Sometimes criminals use fake license plates,” observed Chalong duty officer Boonlert Onklang.

Police are continuing their search for the suspect.

— Atchaa Khamlo