PHUKET: Police pursued two teenagers who snatched a bag from a tourist in Karon last night, eventually capturing the boys as they fled into jungle in southern Phuket, near Chalong temple.

Russian tourist Nadezhda Rubannikova was the fourth victim, the boys, aged 13 and 16, told officers at Chalong Police Station early today.

Ms Rubannikova, 50, had her bag snatched about 7pm as she walked along Soi Kat Khwan in Karon, on Phuket's popular west coast. The lane links Kata Road and Patak Road, behind Club Med.

She was observant enough to note the motorcycle, a Honda Click, and to quickly inform a police patrol what had happened.

The alert went out across southern Phuket and the boys were pursued to Soi Bang Rae, near Chalong temple, where the pair dumped their motorcycle and took off on foot.

The boys were captured in nearby jungle a little before midnight.

Officers said the boys were truants from school. They live in Cherng Talay, central Phuket, and admitted to four bag-snatches - three in the Kata-Karon area, and one in Patong.

Ms Rubannikova got back a telephone, her passport and some cash taken from the bag.

The pair told police they were unarmed.

The teenagers are likely to face Children's Court and serve a period in the Phuket Detention Centre.