Pattaya, Thailand, November 17th, 2025
A 44-year-old shop owner in Pattaya reported the theft of her wallet containing more than ฿14,000 in cash, foreign currency, and important documents after a woman pretending to seek shelter from the rain stole the bag and fled the scene. CCTV footage captured the entire incident, showing the suspect ordering a bottle of water before committing the crime.
The victim, Ms. Saengduan Champanerd, filed a police report at approximately 4:00 a.m. on November 17th at Pattaya City Police Station. She spoke with Deputy Investigation Officer Lt. Natthachai Sengiamwibul, tearfully pleading for authorities to track down the thief and recover her belongings.
According to Ms. Saengduan, the suspect—a Thai woman aged between 40 and 50—approached her store holding an umbrella and a bowl of khanom chin (fermented rice noodles). Appearing drenched from the rain, the woman asked to take shelter inside. Out of compassion, Ms. Saengduan allowed her in and placed her own wallet on a guest table near the entrance, which contained the valuables. Moments later, while the owner was distracted, the thief snatched the wallet and escaped.
The stolen items included:
– ฿14,000 in Thai baht
– 100 euros in cash
– An undisclosed amount of United Arab Emirates dirham
– Identification cards belonging to Ms. Saengduan, her mother, and her two sons
– ATM cards from Krungthai Bank and Siam Commercial Bank
– Insurance cards
“I had no idea she was up to no good,” Ms. Saengduan told The Pattaya News. “She seemed harmless, just needing a place to avoid the rain. By the time I realized what happened, she was already gone with everything—money, documents, all of it. I rushed to the police station hoping they can catch her and return my property.”
Surveillance cameras inside the store recorded clear images of the suspect. She was dressed in a short-sleeved gray shirt, black denim skirt, and white flip-flops. The footage shows her entering the shop, ordering one bottle of plain water, and then swiftly grabbing the wallet before fleeing.
Police have launched an investigation and are urging the public for any information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest. Authorities are calling for a swift apprehension to bring the perpetrator to justice under the law. Anyone with details is encouraged to contact Pattaya City Police Station.
