Picture courtesy of Chalong Police.

 

A German man has been arrested in Chalong, Phuket, after allegedly stealing a motorbike from a Thai resident. The swift response from local police has drawn praise as they continue their efforts to protect the community from rising petty crime.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 17:35 on 5 April, when Chalong Police Station’s operations centre received a report of a stolen motorcycle in the area. Officers were immediately dispatched to investigate and began tracking the movements of the suspect.

 

The suspect, a male German national whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was located and apprehended within hours in the Chalong area. Upon his arrest, police discovered both the stolen motorbike and other valuable items in his possession, including a iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is also believed to have been stolen earlier, outside 7/11.

 

Further investigation revealed that the suspect had been residing in Soi Ta-iad, a street in Chalong well-known for its Muay Thai training camps and international martial arts visitors. He was reportedly enrolled in a local Muay Thai school and had been staying in the area for some time.

The suspect is currently in police custody and is undergoing further questioning. Legal proceedings are expected to follow as authorities prepare to file formal charges. The Chalong Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional offences and are working to determine whether the suspect may have been involved in other crimes in the area.

 

In a statement to the public, Chalong Police Station reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining safety and order in the community. Officials have encouraged both residents and tourists to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.

 

-- 2025-04-06

 

I'm assuming they left the keys in the bike? that's a bad habit, We pulled up outside Amazon the other morning I stayed in the car and there was a brand new bike along side me with the keys in it, I'm sure people think it doesn't happen, there was a gang going around Rawai some years ago stealing bike/scooters just picking them up on to the back of a truck, 

They stole my wifes brand new Fino still had the red plate on it, 

16 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I'm assuming they left the keys in the bike?

Yeah, good comment. Now it´s his fault. 

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I'm assuming they left the keys in the bike? that's a bad habit, We pulled up outside Amazon the other morning I stayed in the car and there was a brand new bike along side me with the keys in it, I'm sure people think it doesn't happen, there was a gang going around Rawai some years ago stealing bike/scooters just picking them up on to the back of a truck, 

They stole my wifes brand new Fino still had the red plate on it, 

If theft via loading on a pickup presence of a key won't make any difference.

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I'm assuming they left the keys in the bike? that's a bad habit, We pulled up outside Amazon the other morning I stayed in the car and there was a brand new bike along side me with the keys in it, I'm sure people think it doesn't happen, there was a gang going around Rawai some years ago stealing bike/scooters just picking them up on to the back of a truck, 

They stole my wifes brand new Fino still had the red plate on it, 

OK. Understood that you are right, from a western perspective. However, it is irksome that Thai people should be penalized for the  thieving behavior of some foreigners. It's like victim blaming.

I admire the ability of Thais to leave their helmets on their bikes, even bags. All the western cities are plagued by both opportunistic and organized thieves. Thailand has a societal norm that  punishes the petty thief. In the west we  say, poor misunderstood dear, run along and don't do it again.

 

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, good comment. Now it´s his fault. 

Partly.

Doesn't take long to take your key out of the ignition and have it with you. Locals steal bikes all the time, understandable yet wrong, because of the lack of good income. That a foreigner did this is strange. Like another said, you see helmets and food left on scooters all the time, which shows that thieves aren't interested in such small items, looking for that key left in the ignition and gone in seconds.

Many new bikes are keyless.

I wonder which cost more, the scooter he stole or the IPhone?

 

40 minutes ago, impulse said:

I wonder which cost more, the scooter he stole or the IPhone?

 

Depends on which scooter I guess, Yamaha Grand Filano is not cheap, 

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The suspect, a male German national

Another trashy foreigner, poor Thailand 

Germans!

Could it be he is working illegally? Sounds like it could be a debt collector. After reading some posts on here I am so amazed at how law abiding Thai people are. Sainted, I'm sure? Not exactly my experience of Thai people.

foreigners stay too long, burn through all their money and then start stealing.

 

6 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Partly.

Absolute crap. If the keys are in, stealing is permitted? 

Quality foreigners indeed. 

16 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

foreigners stay too long, burn through all their money and then start stealing.

 

And blame Thai people.

Quality foreigners from the 1st world. 

2 minutes ago, ravip said:

Absolute crap. If the keys are in, stealing is permitted? 

Quality foreigners indeed. 

I said the owner is partly at fault for leaving the keys in the ignition, creating temptation or an opportunity that wouldn't have been there otherwise. It's like flashing cash in a bar or leaving your car running when you go into a store. Partly the owner's fault.

12 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

I said the owner is partly at fault for leaving the keys in the ignition, creating temptation or an opportunity that wouldn't have been there otherwise. It's like flashing cash in a bar or leaving your car running when you go into a store. Partly the owner's fault.

In my lifetime,  I've seen many motorbikes,  cars,  trucks, even busses stopped with their engine running. 

Never was I tempted to drive away. 

It's only a professional thief that would get that temptation. 

12 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

I said the owner is partly at fault for leaving the keys in the ignition, creating temptation or an opportunity that wouldn't have been there otherwise. It's like flashing cash in a bar or leaving your car running when you go into a store. Partly the owner's fault.

I think in the UK if your keys had been left in the ignition when it got stolen your insurance is null and void, 

2 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I think in the UK if your keys had been left in the ignition when it got stolen your insurance is null and void, 

Which isn't a bad idea as it teaches responsibility.

21 minutes ago, ravip said:

In my lifetime,  I've seen many motorbikes,  cars,  trucks, even busses stopped with their engine running. 

Never was I tempted to drive away. 

It's only a professional thief that would get that temptation. 

 

stupid comment at its best... you are a saint, but how do you think many joy rides get started?

 

professional thieves only ones who get tempted? really... think about it b4 you post

Germans

My opinion, reguardless of nationality, 30+ days in a THAI jail, deport, ban for life.

On 4/6/2025 at 10:23 AM, stevenl said:

If theft via loading on a pickup presence of a key won't make any difference.

Surely with keys it is a lot easier to use....or have I missed something.

Leaving keys in the ignition.... Opportunity makes the thief, the same all over the world.

On 4/7/2025 at 5:21 AM, Pouatchee said:

 

stupid comment at its best... you are a saint, but how do you think many joy rides get started?

 

professional thieves only ones who get tempted? really... think about it b4 you post

stupid comment at its best... 

 

I am no saint. But I guess you start a joy ride on anything and every thing when you see the keys on or the engine running.

 

Described yourself well.

On 4/6/2025 at 10:54 AM, Briggsy said:

Many new bikes are keyless.

Some bike owners are clueless.😉

On 4/6/2025 at 4:56 AM, Georgealbert said:

Further investigation revealed that the suspect had been residing in Soi Ta-iad, a street in Chalong well-known for its Muay Thai training camps and international martial arts visitors. He was reportedly enrolled in a local Muay Thai school and had been staying in the area for some time.

Not for much longer...

I'd like to suggest a new heading:

"German decides to change private accommodation for government accommodation"

On 4/6/2025 at 5:17 PM, save the frogs said:

foreigners stay too long, burn through all their money and then start stealing.

 

I think that's probably the case. They are trying to avoid the inevitable, which is to return to their home country.