A 55-year-old thief who had been targeting tourists for over a decade has been arrested.
Police apprehended the woman, identified only as Pornthip, at a condominium building on Pradipat Soi 23 in the Phaya Thai district of Bangkok.
A warrant for her arrest was issued on March 25 following a report by a South Korean tourist, who claimed that Pornthip had stolen his bag while he was taking photographs at Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, in the Phra Nakhon district.
Pornthip allegedly stole the bag from a baby carriage. Security footage showed a woman fitting her description committing the theft.
A search of her residence revealed the clothes she was wearing in the video and bags belonging to two other victims who reported thefts on May 24 and 29.
The woman confessed to her crimes, admitting she began stealing in 2010 and frequently targeted foreign tourists at temples, parks, and department stores. She typically waited until travelers were distracted while taking photos before stealing their belongings.
Pornthip also admitted to pawning the stolen goods to save money for opening a coffee shop.
Police stated that Pornthip had been arrested 11 times previously in and around Bangkok, including once for narcotics possession. She had been released from imprisonment for that charge in March of this year.
