Airport Thief Arrested After Passenger Thefts in Bangkok

Tourist Police have arrested a woman accused of stealing from sleeping passengers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The arrest was announced on 31 May by Pol Lt Gen Saksira Pueak-am, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, together with Kittipong Kittikhajorn, Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, and senior Tourist Police officers.

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The suspect, whose name has been withheld, was detained under a warrant issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court on 30 May 2026 for theft at an airport during the night. She was arrested at a resort in Mueang district, Sing Buri province and officers recovered several items belonging to victims.

The investigation began after a victim reported a theft at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 21 May. The victim had been sleeping in a waiting area on the third floor near Gate 3 of the passenger terminal. Upon waking at around 4am, the victim discovered that a small blue bag had been stolen.

The missing property included an iPhone, a wallet, a passport, a Thai identity card, a Dubai ID card and large amounts of foreign currency. The stolen cash consisted of US$4,000, 9,500 UAE dirhams, EUR800 and GBP400. The total loss was estimated at more than 300,000 baht.

Following the complaint, investigators from Tourist Police Division 3, Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station and airport security teams reviewed CCTV footage to identify the suspect. Police later determined that the same woman was allegedly responsible for two earlier thefts at Don Mueang Airport.

One case involved a Malaysian tourist on 16 May and another involved an Indian tourist on 20 May. Both incidents had been reported to Don Mueang Police Station.

Authorities gathered evidence and obtained an arrest warrant before locating and arresting the suspect in Sing Buri. She has been handed over to investigators for legal proceedings, and arrangements are being made to return recovered property to the victims.

Daily News reported that Pol Lt Gen Saksira said the arrest was in line with the policy of National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, which emphasises tourist safety and confidence. He said Tourist Police aim to serve as “Your First Friend” and a trusted source of assistance for visitors to Thailand.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 1 June 2026