PHUKET police almost managed to arrest two thieves, who stole the bag of tourists while they were swimming, before the holidaymakers returned to the shore.
Locals at Kata beach noted two young men who were acting suspiciously yesterday along the shorefront. When the men stole the belongings of the tourists on the beach, the locals immediately told Chalong police.
Officers quickly stopped the motorcycle with the two men on board - but no stolen goods. Meanwhile, Frenchman Ocmane Dihi, 27, and his Algerian friend, Zerrouki, 27, emerged from the sea at Kata to find their precious posessions had vanished.
While the tourists were raising the alarm on the beach, police were questioning suspects Manit Poseepo, 31, and Komkrit Dongjampa, 28. Eventually, the two confessed that they had stashed the stolen items in a car parked close to the beach, in the local tessaban Karon council car park.
It was there that police found the Louis Vitton bag containing an iPhone, a Sony mobile telephone, two passports, 400 euros in cash, a rented motorcycle key and a resort room key.
Chalong police said the case was a great demonstration of the way that locals upheld Phuket's ''safe and secure'' reputation and assisted in apprehending criminals.
Phuket Bar Girls in Terror of 'Sweethearts' KillerLocals at Kata beach noted two young men who were acting suspiciously yesterday along the shorefront. When the men stole the belongings of the tourists on the beach, the locals immediately told Chalong police.
Officers quickly stopped the motorcycle with the two men on board - but no stolen goods. Meanwhile, Frenchman Ocmane Dihi, 27, and his Algerian friend, Zerrouki, 27, emerged from the sea at Kata to find their precious posessions had vanished.
While the tourists were raising the alarm on the beach, police were questioning suspects Manit Poseepo, 31, and Komkrit Dongjampa, 28. Eventually, the two confessed that they had stashed the stolen items in a car parked close to the beach, in the local tessaban Karon council car park.
It was there that police found the Louis Vitton bag containing an iPhone, a Sony mobile telephone, two passports, 400 euros in cash, a rented motorcycle key and a resort room key.
Chalong police said the case was a great demonstration of the way that locals upheld Phuket's ''safe and secure'' reputation and assisted in apprehending criminals.
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You know I love your paper, but lets get incorrect use of "robbery" that is present in all your article about thefts sorted!! I realise the reporter's first language may not be English, but the title is inaccurate and sensationalist. I was expecting to hear how two tourists were held at gun point or knife point, which is what a robbery is, but alas no...It's just a bag snatch, a petty theft, not a robbery.
And who in their right minds leaves that much dosh and valuable unattended on the beach?
Posted by NG on July 2, 2010 23:51
Editor Comment:
The headline 'Robbed Phuket Tourists Barely Miss a Beat' is inaccurate and sensationalist? Hmmm . . .