Pattaya —
Pattaya Tourist Police arrested two Indian tourists on their first day in Thailand for allegedly stealing a camera battery and then casually strolling along Walking Street.
At 5:16 AM on September 5th, 2024, Pol. Lt. Col. Piyapong Ensan, Chief of Pattaya Tourist Police, together with other officers, arrested two Indian nationals, identified only as Mr. Abhishek, 29, and Mr. Akash, 28. The arrest followed a complaint filed by Mr. Shaik, 34, also an Indian national, at the Pattaya Police Station. Mr. Shaik reported that a camera battery pack had been stolen from him at a cannabis shop located on Walking Street.
The incident occurred when Mr. Shaik entered the cannabis shop and placed his camera’s battery pack on a sofa while browsing products. Three fellow Indian tourists then entered the shop, and the suspects noticed the battery on the sofa. One of them reportedly sat on the item to cover it, while the other discreetly slipped the battery into his own bag. The suspects then left the shop and continued to casually stroll along Walking Street as if nothing had happened.
The Pattaya Tourist Police, who were stationed on Walking Street, were informed by the Pattaya Police Station of the alleged theft and quickly reviewed CCTV footage from the shop and along the suspects’ escape route. They soon discovered that the thieves had not fled but were leisurely walking not far from the incident scene.
Upon realizing they were about to be arrested, the suspects attempted to return the stolen battery, claiming it had been dropped and they were intending to return it. However, the officers were not convinced. The suspects were taken to the Tourist Police Station, where, after being confronted with clear CCTV evidence, they reportedly confessed to the crime.
Both suspects, who had only arrived in Thailand a day earlier, were taken into custody along with the stolen camera battery, valued at around 5,000 baht. They were handed over to the Pattaya Police Station for further legal proceedings.
The last names of the individuals involved were not disclosed by police for ongoing investigation.
