Pattaya Tourist Police have apprehended a man from Ayutthaya for allegedly stealing a tourist’s mobile phone on a ferry to Koh Larn. The suspect, 52-year-old Mr. Somchai Buengnok, reportedly has a lengthy criminal history. Pol. Lt. Col. Piyapong Ensan, Senior Inspector of Tourist Police Division 4, received a complaint from 37-year-old Ms. Nicha, a tourist, who stated that her iPhone had been stolen. Ms. Nicha explained that while on the ferry, a Thai man in his 50s befriended her. Upon arriving at Hat Ta Waen Beach, she realized her phone was missing and suspected the man she had conversed with.
After receiving the report, Lt. Col. Ensan swiftly deployed patrol officers and detectives to investigate. They reviewed CCTV footage and obtained a detailed description from the victim. The suspect was eventually spotted walking around Ta Waen Beach. Identified as Mr. Somchai Buengnok, officers conducted a search and found the stolen iPhone in his shoulder bag. Mr. Buengnok admitted to the theft and was taken into custody.
Further investigation uncovered his extensive criminal background, including charges for indecent acts with a child under 15 in 2021, theft in the same year, and another theft earlier in 2024. Mr. Buengnok remains in custody and will face legal consequences for this latest crime.
credit TPN
