PHUKET: Bag-snatchers on a spree through Patong early today robbed three women but failed to take account of the quick response of Phuket police.

A British tourist and two Thais were victims as the bandits rode their motorcycle around Patong's one-way loop - straight into the arms of waiting officers.

Today the accused and their victims were reunited at Patong's Kathu Police Station.

A police patrol was alerted to the first bag-snatch when Chayapat Wichayachokanan, 32, had her bag stolen near the electricity station in Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road about 2.45am.

Minutes later, Lucy May Heardar became victim two a few hundred metres down the same road. By then, police were already getting organised across the entire west coast holiday centre.

The third bag-snatch took place in beach road near Banana Walk with Thanita Sopsnanan, 36, losing her possessions.

And that was it. The motorcycle pair rode into the arms of waiting police.

Theerayut Damlem, 22, the rider, and his passenger, Sarawut Apichaikam, 19, may regret their short, wild ride for some time to come.