Pattaya-
A Russian tourist reported to Pattaya Police at 12:30 AM this morning, January 6th, 2020 that he had a gold necklace worth an estimated 15,000 baht snatched from his neck by a motorbike riding thief while out for a walk in the Jomtien area.
The victim, Mr. Aleksandr Volokhov, 33, told the associated Pattaya press that he was walking with three friends by the Laguna Beach condo in Jomtien early this morning when two men on a motorbike, believed to be 25-30 years old and Thai, drove up to Mr. Volokhov.
Mr. Volokhov told Police Col. Chainarong Chaiinin of the Pattaya Police, the responding officer, that one of the men greeted him extending his hand out to say hello. Mr. Volokhov said he went to respond to the apparent friendly hello when the second man snatched off his gold necklace. The two men then sped away.
A security guard for the nearby condominium helped call the police for the distraught tourists.
Drive by jewelry and bag snatchings, primarily targeting Russian tourists and families, have been an ongoing problem in Pattaya for several months now with half a dozen separate instances across the city.
Police have yet to successfully capture a suspect in the many cases nor state if the multiple incidents are officially linked to an organized group or the same individuals.
Pattaya Police Col. Chainarong said CCTV will be reviewed in the area around the reported theft for any clues to the identity of the suspects. He also warned tourists and residents not to wear flashy jewelery while out and around walking.
Pictures Pattaya Press Association, Article written by Adam Judd, Pattaya News.
