PATTAYA, Thailand – On May 6, 2025, at 4:00 PM, Ms. Suphassara Somsuay, a 19-year-old massage worker from Sisaket province, shared CCTV footage with reporters to help track down a thief who stole her mobile phone while she was asleep outside a massage parlor in central Pattaya. The incident occurred at 6:00 AM on May 3, 2025, at a massage shop, located in Pattaya Soi 4.
The CCTV footage clearly captured the theft. Ms. Suphassara was asleep alone in front of the shop when a suspect, described as resembling a transgender woman, approached. The individual was wearing a black sleeveless top, a short black skirt, sneakers, and a shoulder bag. Appearing agitated, possibly under the influence of drugs, the suspect rummaged through a storage cabinet before sitting next to Ms. Suphassara. Seizing the moment, the thief grabbed her Vivo Y335 black smartphone, valued at 8,000 baht, along with her ID card inside the phone case, placed them in the bag, and fled the scene.
Ms. Suphassara explained the events leading up to the theft to The Pattaya News. After finishing work, she went out to eat grilled pork with friends and admitted to being intoxicated. Returning to the shop where she also stays around 6:00 AM, she found the front door locked and couldn’t enter. Exhausted, she lay down outside to wait for someone to open the shop, placing her phone near her head. She fell asleep and, upon waking, discovered her phone and ID were gone.
Ms. Suphassara reported the theft to Pattaya City Police Station, expressing hope that authorities would apprehend the suspect, as the CCTV footage clearly shows the suspect’s face.
