BANGKOK, Thailand – Social threat alert! Police from the Phra Ratchawang Police Station have arrested a Vietnamese woman for taking advantage of the Songkran festival to slash a handbag and steal money from a person making merit at a temple.
Phra Ratchawang Police arrested Ms. Thi Cham, 42, a Vietnamese national, who was wanted under an arrest warrant from the Criminal Court for involvement in theft by altering her appearance in a public worship place. Authorities seized several items, including a mobile phone, foreign banknotes (USD, Indonesian Rupiah, Malaysian Ringgit, Vietnamese Dong), foil paper, three wallets, three shawls, a cutter knife, and blades. The arrest occurred at a hotel room in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok on April 12 at around 5:30 PM, following a subsequent raid at an apartment in Soi Lat Phrao 134, Bang Kapi district.
The case began when a 56-year-old female victim reported that on April 12, at approximately 9:30 AM, while she was visiting a temple at Tha Tien, her handbag was slashed while she was walking into the Reclining Buddha Hall. Inside the bag were 3,000 Baht in cash, an ID card, four credit cards, and one ATM card.
The police investigation involved collecting CCTV footage from the crime scene, which captured the faces and actions of two suspects. With sufficient evidence, the police obtained arrest warrants for both suspects. Ms. Thi Cham, who can speak Thai, admitted to being one of the culprits, and stated that the other thief, a fellow Vietnamese national, fled the scene. Ms. Cham had stored the stolen items in her apartment. After searching the apartment, authorities recovered all the stolen goods.
The suspect has been handed over to Phra Ratchawang Police Station for further legal proceedings. Authorities will continue to track down the remaining suspect to face prosecution.
