Algerian man arrested over pickpocketing of foreign tourists in Pattaya

[webfact]

Algerian man arrested over pickpocketing of foreign tourists in Pattaya

By The Nation

 

 

An Algerian man has been arrested in Pattaya for allegedly pickpocketing two Korean tourists and a Chinese tourist in the seaside city late last month.

 

Pattaya police chief Pol Colonel Prawit Chorseng held a press conference on Monday to announce the arrest of Toufik Melki, 50, over the weekend.

 

Prawit said a tourist from South Korea has accused Melki of approaching him on Soi Bua Kao in Central Pattaya on March 28 and stealing 400,000 won (about Bt13,000) from him. The tourist said Melki pretended to know him, wrapped his arm around his shoulder while talking to him amicably – and stole his wallet.

 

A few days later, a Chinese tourist and a South Korean tourist filed complaints with the police station that they had been pickpocketed by a man matching Melki’s description, with wallets containing about Bt50,000 in cash stolen.

 

Prawit said police checked security-camera footage and learned Melki’s identity. He was spotted walking on Pattaya II road, apparently looking for new victims, police said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30368120

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-22

 

[Youlike]

Is he only 50? He looks like 70...

 

11 policemen to arrest one old pickpocket?? ????

[mejomini]

Where's Big Jok when you need him?

[transam]

And his visa status......?

 

Waiting for backup to read it...????

[toenail]

When Thailand gets more lenient for certain country nationals to get tourist visas ( such as from developing countries or Arab countries) you will see more of this petty crime. —Sorry, I do not want to sound judgmental but I have lived in some of these countries and know their warped value system. (They’ll take advantage of anything.)

Edited April 22, 2019 by toenail

[PatOngo]

It's not cheap maintaining a family on holiday in the world class resort!

[mike787]

4 minutes ago, toenail said:

When Thailand gets more lenient for certain country nationals to get tourist visas ( such as from developing countries or Arab countries) you will see more of this petty crime. —Sorry, I do not want to sound judgmental but I have lived in some of these countries and know their warped value system. (They’ll take advantage of anything.)

Never apologize for the truth.  

[mike787]

4 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

It's not cheap maintaining a family on holiday in the world class resort!

All those rides, candy, beers, hell no.

[Fred white]

You mean it wasn't a lady boy ????

[Thakkar]

3 hours ago, Youlike said:

Is he only 50? He looks like 70...

 

11 policemen to arrest one old pickpocket?? ????

How many Royal Thai Police officers does it take to change a lightbulb?

 

As many as can fit into a selfie portrait afterwards.

[Aussieroaming]

3 hours ago, Youlike said:

Is he only 50? He looks like 70...

 

11 policemen to arrest one old pickpocket?? ????

That is 11 of Thailands best getting free lessons in pickpocketing from him.

[MeePeeMai]

Ah come on...

 

He found those items, took them home and was just trying to find the rightful owner(s) so that he could return them.

 

(according to the airport phone thief fan club)

[OneZero]

46 minutes ago, Thakkar said:

How many Royal Thai Police officers does it take to change a lightbulb?

 

As many as can fit into a selfie portrait afterwards.

"Prawit said police checked security-camera footage and learned Melki’s identity. He was spotted walking on Pattaya II road, apparently looking for new victims, police said."

 

Give it a break.  A team of only one out of uniform officer would not be all that quick or effective in finding him would it.

 

[donnacha]

At least they didn't describe him as "French".

[webfact]

Picture: Siam Rath

[dotpoom]

To this day I am simply amazed at the amount of mobile phones I see sticking more than half way out of back pockets ( particularly the ladies). Back home in Europe they would be "gone" in the blink of an eye.

[Destiny1990]

Looking at his hairstyle seems he  is well prepared for his next check in.

[Pattaya28]

15 hours ago, PatOngo said:

It's not cheap maintaining a family on holiday in the world class resort!

What resort might that be ? 

[Thakkar]

12 hours ago, OneZero said:

"Prawit said police checked security-camera footage and learned Melki’s identity. He was spotted walking on Pattaya II road, apparently looking for new victims, police said."

 

Give it a break.  A team of only one out of uniform officer would not be all that quick or effective in finding him would it.

 

 

Quite right. Of course.

Seeing as lots of people in Pattaya—especially police offices—look kinda dodgy, it would require lots of officers to rule each other out before honing in on the real suspects.

[Deli]

Whipping and stoning is routine is his home country as punishment...

[PatOngo]

20 minutes ago, Pattaya28 said:

What resort might that be ? 

Pattaya, the international world class family resort....Don't you listen to TAT?

[Kieran00001]

13 minutes ago, Deli said:

Whipping and stoning is routine is his home country as punishment...

 

No, it isn't.

[sammieuk1]

Feed him to the soi dogs ????

[bendejo]

Why is no one pointing at him?

 

 

[kensisaket]

17 hours ago, Youlike said:

Is he only 50? He looks like 70...

 

11 policemen to arrest one old pickpocket?? ????

What difference does it make how many police are in that picture? They arrested a scumbag; and, got him off the street.  

[p414]

1 hour ago, Deli said:

Whipping and stoning is routine is his home country as punishment...

I thought thieves had their hands chopped off.

 

[essox essox]

17 hours ago, mejomini said:

Where's Big Jok when you need him?

he in the States enjoying himself....if he got thru immigration !!

[bristolgeoff]

 He gets arrested does he get put in goal like the chap who found a phone in the gutter or street.then a big problem to release him.he said he was going to return but he found in the st.but he was made out as the bad guy

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture: Siam Rath

Only one missing is this photo op is the lady sweeping the street, could have asked her to step in.

Nice to see the fingers under control at last!

[JimmyJ]

1 hour ago, bendejo said:

Why is no one pointing at him?

 

 

No pointing, no pixillated face, no reenactment - I intend to lodge a formal complaint.