Thailand: a German tourist arrested after a theft in a Phuket spa

A 25-year-old German tourist was arrested after stealing 2,000 bahts (approximately 54 euros) from a spa in Phuket in southern Thailand.

The incident sparked a strong reaction on Thai social media.

Although flights are on the rise, they remain infrequent in Thailand, which explains the locals' often lower vigilance.

A reality that some tourists try to take advantage of, without always being aware of the severity of the Thai penal system if they get caught.

Caught red-handed

The tourist was caught on surveillance camera stealing money from the cash register of a spa in Phuket. Photo taken from the SPA surveillance camera

The theft occurred on Tuesday, January 20, around 5 p.m. at a spa located on Ranong Road, in the city of Phuket.

The man had arrived on the scene with two companions, but the surveillance footage shows that he acted alone.

In the video, the suspect appears wearing a black shirt, red shorts, and a beige cap.

He first sits calmly in front of the reception desk, using his mobile phone.

Taking advantage of the momentary absence of the receptionist, who was busy escorting other clients to a treatment room, he gets up, slowly opens a drawer, and takes two 1,000-baht bills, which he slips into his pocket before sitting back down.

Upon her return, the receptionist noticed nothing out of the ordinary, although the drawer remained open.

The suspect then engaged in conversation with her, feigning interest in the products displayed at the counter, apparently to divert attention.

The spa owner subsequently discovered the theft on the surveillance footage and shared the images via the local information Facebook page Newshawk Phuket, issuing an appeal for witnesses.

A complaint was also filed with the police.

The suspect returns to the scene and is apprehended

Photo of the German tourist taken from the SPA surveillance video.

Contrary to all expectations, the tourist returned to the same spa the following evening.

According to the police, he presented himself to apologize and return the 2,000 baht in cash, as well as two pairs of slippers that he had also stolen.

Staff refused to recover the money and stolen items and immediately contacted the police.

Officers from the Phuket police station made his arrest on the spot.

In tears during his interrogation, the German explained to the police that he and his friends had acted "on a dare" without measuring the consequences of their actions.

The authorities confirmed that the theft had been clearly established through CCTV footage.

A series of thefts that annoys internet users

Night market in the city of Phuket.

This case occurs in a context of growing frustration among residents and internet users, following several recent thefts involving foreign tourists in Phuket.

Around the same time, another theft was reported in Phuket: a foreigner was filmed by a surveillance camera stealing a motorcycle helmet from a parking lot.

He is seen checking his surroundings before taking the helmet and walking away calmly.

After the video was shared, netizens claimed to have already lost motorcycle helmets to foreign thieves and reported the incidents to the police, but to no avail, despite clear video evidence.

Similar cases involving foreign suspects were reported in December last year.

Notably, a foreign woman was caught stealing snus products from a store in Krabi, and a foreign man assaulted a Bolt taxi driver before stealing the victim's motorcycle.

No arrests or new developments in the investigation have been made public in either case.

See also:

Thailand: a psychic predicts the loss of a precious object… and steals from his client

Thailand: Frenchman arrested for stealing from tourists at Don Mueang airport

Four Britons arrested in Phuket for stealing from an American tourist

Thailand: an expat steals an ATM after a dispute

Cannabis, motorcycles, thefts: Phuket under pressure to save its tourism

Source : Bangkok Post, The Thaiger