PHANG NGA police have recovered valuable items, stolen from a pickup while two Australians went for a swim, in what must be close to record time.

The two Aussies, one who lives on Phuket and the other who is heading home tomorrow after a holiday, were pleasantly surprised to have all the belongings returned at lightning speed.

Once police were told about the theft, it took officers less than 120 minutes to track down the alleged robber, who had in his possession all of the goods belonging to the Australians.

It happened like this, according to police at Kho-kloy, in Phang Nga:

Longtime Australian expat resident of Phuket Ian Wedeswiler and his wife Sasithorn took their holidaying pal Ian Lalanjon off the island for a swim at five-star Natai Beach on Sunday.

They parked the car and hit the water, returning a couple of hours later to find the driver's window broken. Taken from the car were a mobile telephone, a camera, sunglasses and a wallet containing 8000 baht in cash as well as credit cards.

Some documents and a housekey were also taken, causing alarm about whether the thief might try to raid the Wedeswiler's Phuket home at Mai Khao.

Feeling a little disconcerted, Mr Wedeswiler had the window of the pickup replaced then drove to Kho-kloy police station on Monday to report the break-in and robbery.

Officers had their suspicions about who might have been involved and went to a house near Nanai beach where they found Kamon Tongrit, 25. In his possession police say they found everything Mr Wedeswiler had lost . . . except the cash.

Within two hours, Mr Wedeswiler had his goods back.

Police say the two Australians were surprised and delighted at the speed with which the items were recovered.

Khun Kamon is in jail awaiting a court appearance.


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