Chinese Nationals Arrested for In-Flight Theft

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

Swift response from Suvarnabhumi police leads to the arrest of two Chinese men accused of theft aboard a flight.

 

Authorities at Suvarnabhumi Airport apprehended two Chinese nationals on 10th April, implicated in a theft aboard Air Macau flight NX996. The incident came to light as the plane approached Suvarnabhumi Airport, with a fellow passenger observing suspicious activity.

 

Police investigations, led by Suvarnabhumi's aviation security in collaboration with local law enforcement, identified suspects Mr Han, 54, and Mr Wang, 46. Both were found with 80,000 Baht in Thai currency.

 

The stolen money linked to two separate complainants — Mr Tang, whose 30,000 Baht was stolen from his overhead luggage, and Miss Ding, who reported 50,000 Baht missing from her bag.

 

 

 

A vigilant American traveller witnessed one suspect rifling through Mr Tang's backpack and alerted the airline crew. As suspicion mounted, the perpetrators attempted to jettison the incriminating cash, pleading with staff to avoid police involvement.

 

Miss Ding, upon discovering the theft at her hotel, returned to the airport to file a report, supporting the initial complaint.

 

The accused denied all allegations during questioning. Further checks confirmed their inclusion on a watchlist for suspected aviation theft activities. Thai Tourist Police, continually monitoring these suspects, are advocating increased reassurance for passengers.

 

In light of this incident, Tourist Police Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Sakssira Pheuak-auem reaffirmed the commitment to safeguarding tourists. The organisation remains the first line of assistance for visitors in Thailand, promoting safety and secure stays.

 

For any suspicious activities, tourists are encouraged to contact the Tourist Police hotlines or use the Thailand Tourist Police app.

 

 

Based on a story by Siam Rath
 

-- 2025-04-11

 

 

[webfact]

Mid-Air Theft, Chinese Caught After American Passenger Sounds the Alarm

 

Pictures courtesy of Khoasod.

 

Two Chinese nationals were apprehended at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 10 April, after an in-flight theft was reported aboard an Air Macau service, thanks to the swift actions of a vigilant American passenger.

 

At approximately 10:30, Tourist Police stationed at Suvarnabhumi were alerted by airline staff from Air Macau flight NX996. A theft had reportedly occurred during the journey, prompting coordination between airline crew, airport security, and the Tourist Police Division.

 

 

The initial report came from Mr Tang, a 45-year-old Chinese national from Macau, who told police that as the aircraft was preparing to land, he was approached by Mr Ruggles, a 67-year-old American seated nearby. Ruggles had witnessed a bespectacled Chinese man rummaging through a black backpack in the overhead compartment, a bag which, it turned out, belonged to Mr Tang.

 

Mr Ruggles observed the suspect removing a plastic bag from the luggage. Upon landing, Mr Tang checked his belongings and discovered that 30,000 baht in cash was missing. He promptly informed the cabin crew.

 

Cabin staff had already noticed suspicious behaviour from two passengers, later identified as Mr Han (54) and Mr Wang (46), both Chinese nationals. Upon sensing scrutiny from staff, Mr Wang allegedly dropped a plastic bag containing the missing cash onto the aircraft floor and attempted to dissuade staff from reporting the incident.

 

Several other passengers corroborated the suspicious behaviour, having seen both men moving through the cabin and accessing overhead compartments during the flight.

Tourist Police officers at Suvarnabhumi were called to the scene, detaining the suspects and escorting them to the Division 3 offices of the Tourist Police Bureau for further questioning.

 

Shortly after the initial incident, Miss Ding, a 29-year-old Chinese tourist from the same flight, returned to the airport to file a report. Upon arriving at her hotel, she discovered her bag had been tampered with and that 50,000 baht in cash was missing. She recognised one of the suspects as having been seated next to her on the flight.

 

A search of the suspects and their belongings by Tourist Police revealed the missing 50,000 baht, as well as various foreign currencies suspected to have been stolen from other passengers. The evidence has been seized for further investigation to identify additional victims.

 

Despite the discovery of stolen money in their possession, both suspects denied any wrongdoing. Background checks revealed that both men were already on a Tourist Police watchlist of individuals flagged as high-risk for in-flight theft.

 

They have been formally charged with theft on public transport. Statements were taken from eyewitnesses, and police have confirmed that all recovered money will be returned to the victims.

 

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify any further affected passengers.

-- 2025-04-11

 

[bdenner]

Quote

Background checks revealed that both men were already on a Tourist Police watchlist of individuals flagged as high-risk for in-flight theft

 

I get the feeling a "slap on the wrist" will be inflicted and the alleged perpetrators will be set free to do it again.

IMHO, 6 months in the Bangkok Hilton should be their just reward!

[PomPolo]

A little disappointed the Chinese seem to be taking over us Brits on the unruly tourist front at the moment I for one was getting quite proud of that record

[impulse]

FWIW, NX996 is from Macau, not the Mainland.

 

[Ralf001]

16 minutes ago, impulse said:

FWIW, NX996 is from Macau, not the Mainland.

 

 

Yeah that makes sense given it was Air Macau flight.

[steven100]

fetch the dogs onto them 

[newbee2022]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

Swift response from Suvarnabhumi police leads to the arrest of two Chinese men accused of theft aboard a flight.

 

Authorities at Suvarnabhumi Airport apprehended two Chinese nationals on 10th April, implicated in a theft aboard Air Macau flight NX996. The incident came to light as the plane approached Suvarnabhumi Airport, with a fellow passenger observing suspicious activity.

 

Police investigations, led by Suvarnabhumi's aviation security in collaboration with local law enforcement, identified suspects Mr Han, 54, and Mr Wang, 46. Both were found with 80,000 Baht in Thai currency.

 

The stolen money linked to two separate complainants — Mr Tang, whose 30,000 Baht was stolen from his overhead luggage, and Miss Ding, who reported 50,000 Baht missing from her bag.

 

 

 

A vigilant American traveller witnessed one suspect rifling through Mr Tang's backpack and alerted the airline crew. As suspicion mounted, the perpetrators attempted to jettison the incriminating cash, pleading with staff to avoid police involvement.

 

Miss Ding, upon discovering the theft at her hotel, returned to the airport to file a report, supporting the initial complaint.

 

The accused denied all allegations during questioning. Further checks confirmed their inclusion on a watchlist for suspected aviation theft activities. Thai Tourist Police, continually monitoring these suspects, are advocating increased reassurance for passengers.

 

In light of this incident, Tourist Police Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Sakssira Pheuak-auem reaffirmed the commitment to safeguarding tourists. The organisation remains the first line of assistance for visitors in Thailand, promoting safety and secure stays.

 

For any suspicious activities, tourists are encouraged to contact the Tourist Police hotlines or use the Thailand Tourist Police app.

 

 

Based on a story by Siam Rath
 

-- 2025-04-11

 

 

Thank you RTP. Not all relatives are "good apples"

[Card]

What idiot carries 30-50000 baht cash in their baggage and lets thieves know it? Just asking for trouble

[LALes]

Better not be a wai and a thousand baht fine for these scumbags.

[jippytum]

sly pluckers these Chineese. 

[diveasia666]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Mid-Air Theft, Chinese Caught After American Passenger Sounds the Alarm

 

Pictures courtesy of Khoasod.

 

Two Chinese nationals were apprehended at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 10 April, after an in-flight theft was reported aboard an Air Macau service, thanks to the swift actions of a vigilant American passenger.

 

At approximately 10:30, Tourist Police stationed at Suvarnabhumi were alerted by airline staff from Air Macau flight NX996. A theft had reportedly occurred during the journey, prompting coordination between airline crew, airport security, and the Tourist Police Division.

 

 

The initial report came from Mr Tang, a 45-year-old Chinese national from Macau, who told police that as the aircraft was preparing to land, he was approached by Mr Ruggles, a 67-year-old American seated nearby. Ruggles had witnessed a bespectacled Chinese man rummaging through a black backpack in the overhead compartment, a bag which, it turned out, belonged to Mr Tang.

 

Mr Ruggles observed the suspect removing a plastic bag from the luggage. Upon landing, Mr Tang checked his belongings and discovered that 30,000 baht in cash was missing. He promptly informed the cabin crew.

 

Cabin staff had already noticed suspicious behaviour from two passengers, later identified as Mr Han (54) and Mr Wang (46), both Chinese nationals. Upon sensing scrutiny from staff, Mr Wang allegedly dropped a plastic bag containing the missing cash onto the aircraft floor and attempted to dissuade staff from reporting the incident.

 

Several other passengers corroborated the suspicious behaviour, having seen both men moving through the cabin and accessing overhead compartments during the flight.

Tourist Police officers at Suvarnabhumi were called to the scene, detaining the suspects and escorting them to the Division 3 offices of the Tourist Police Bureau for further questioning.

 

Shortly after the initial incident, Miss Ding, a 29-year-old Chinese tourist from the same flight, returned to the airport to file a report. Upon arriving at her hotel, she discovered her bag had been tampered with and that 50,000 baht in cash was missing. She recognised one of the suspects as having been seated next to her on the flight.

 

A search of the suspects and their belongings by Tourist Police revealed the missing 50,000 baht, as well as various foreign currencies suspected to have been stolen from other passengers. The evidence has been seized for further investigation to identify additional victims.

 

Despite the discovery of stolen money in their possession, both suspects denied any wrongdoing. Background checks revealed that both men were already on a Tourist Police watchlist of individuals flagged as high-risk for in-flight theft.

 

They have been formally charged with theft on public transport. Statements were taken from eyewitnesses, and police have confirmed that all recovered money will be returned to the victims.

 

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify any further affected passengers.

 

-- 2025-04-11

 

I happens a lot on long haul flights from and to China, where thieves in business class, check the bags in overhead storage while most passengers sleep.

Always put a lock on your carry on and never leave valuables in plain sight on a flight.

There is a feeling of false security on board. Never trust a fellow traveller.

[Blueman1]

6 hours ago, impulse said:

FWIW, NX996 is from Macau, not the Mainland.

 

It Does Actually Say THAT In the OP......

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

suspects Mr Han, 54, and Mr Wang,

Both got it Wong this time.

[richard_smith237]

13 minutes ago, Card said:

What idiot carries 30-50000 baht cash in their baggage and lets thieves know it? Just asking for trouble

What idiot makes such a comment…

 

Plenty of ppl always have cash with them. 
I always travel with US$1000 emergency cash (+ various cards).

 

& it’s not as if the victims ‘announced’ they were carrying cash, the thieves were simply opportunistic & ‘rummaging’, they were caught with various currencies likely from multiple victims.

 

(I’ll start locking my carryon again !) 

 

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite the discovery of stolen money in their possession, both suspects denied any wrongdoing. Background checks revealed that both men were already on a Tourist Police watchlist of individuals flagged as high-risk for in-flight theft.

 

Clearly repeat offenders if they were on watch lists: 

Why not black listed by

a) the airline &

b) by Thailand immigration?? 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, diveasia666 said:

I happens a lot on long haul flights from and to China, where thieves in business class, check the bags in overhead storage while most passengers sleep.

Always put a lock on your carry on and never leave valuables in plain sight on a flight.

There is a feeling of false security on board. Never trust a fellow traveller.

I also have read similar reports in the past, also involving Chinese theirs inflight. 

[impulse]

14 minutes ago, Blueman1 said:

It Does Actually Say THAT In the OP......

 

It says it's a Macau Airline flight.  I didn't see where it specified the route.  For example, I have flown to BKK on Xiamen Air departing about 6 different cities in China.  Same with Shanghai Air and Sichuan Air. 

 

As I recall, my last flight from Macau to BKK was about a 2-1/2 hour flight.  So, not exactly long haul.

 

[marin]

6 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Plenty of ppl always have cash with them. 
I always travel with US$1000 emergency cash (+ various cards).

Do you put it in your carry on and then in the overhead compartment? I too as well as the wife always carry cash, but its on our person, safe. 

[impulse]

8 minutes ago, marin said:

Do you put it in your carry on and then in the overhead compartment? I too as well as the wife always carry cash, but its on our person, safe. 

 

I keep $4900 emergency cash when I travel (to stay under the $5000 reporting limit for some countries I transit).  I keep it in my overhead bag, but it's in one of the hidden zippered compartments with a few bucks of sacrificial cash in the easier places.   49 bills make quite a lump in my pocket.  And I do my best to look like a cheap Charlie when I travel.

 

Companies I've worked for required our employees to carry $10K cash and an unrestricted first class ticket to get out of the country if SHTF.  I picked up that habit.  I've rarely broken into my cash stash, but never say never.

 

 

[Spock]

12 minutes ago, marin said:

Do you put it in your carry on and then in the overhead compartment? I too as well as the wife always carry cash, but its on our person, safe. 

I only use cash for travel so carry quite a bit. I must confess to keeping it in my bag in an overhead compartment on planes, largely because I have always figured that I could trust people who could afford an airline ticket and had never heard of anyone being robbed on a plane. However, as with dog meat, bear bile, pangolin scale medicines and Cambodian call centres with imprisoned workers, the Chinese have brought to my attention yet another area of life to which I previously never gave much thought. I will be vigilant on future trips.

[ignore it]

Seems Han was on the Tang, but Wang only got Ding 

[Packer]

This is easily preventable with just a few locks.

 

 

Lock together the hands of all Chinese passengers and you're sweet.

[Spock]

14 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I keep $4900 emergency cash when I travel (to stay under the $5000 reporting limit for some countries I transit).  I keep it in my overhead bag, but it's in one of the hidden zippered compartments with a few bucks of sacrificial cash in the easier places.   49 bills make quite a lump in my pocket.  And I do my best to look like a cheap Charlie when I travel.

 

Companies I've worked for required our employees to carry $10K cash and an unrestricted first class ticket to get out of the country if SHTF.  I picked up that habit.  I've rarely broken into my cash stash, but never say never.

 

 

Are you a drug smuggler? Spy? 

[terryofcrete]

1 hour ago, Card said:

and lets thieves know it?

How did they let the thieves know it ?

[impulse]

34 minutes ago, Spock said:

Are you a drug smuggler? Spy? 

 

Oilfield trash.

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, marin said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Plenty of ppl always have cash with them. 
I always travel with US$1000 emergency cash (+ various cards).

Do you put it in your carry on and then in the overhead compartment? I too as well as the wife always carry cash, but its on our person, safe. 

 

Yep...  it goes with everything else in the overhead storage... 

 

I'm not worried about it - I'll just be more vigilant about locking the bag.

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

Oilfield trash.

 

 

Hence the cash - it can be 'get out of trouble money' in some countries if things go sideways.... 

... Particularly in some of the corrupt <deleted>-holes oil-fielders end up in... 

 

Hard work - dangerous areas... Respect.

 

 

 

 

[sqwakvfr]

Aviation Youtuber Sam Chui said months ago to be alert on flights from Hong Kong for possible theft. I guess he was right. 

[trainman34014]

Recently flew back from Hong Kong with Hong Kong Airlines and was warned by the Airline that multiple thefts from Overhead Lockers were occuring on these Flights to Thailand on a consistent basis, so ensure the safety of our critical items.

[GammaGlobulin]

I recall when the Red Caps were on-hand at railway stations to help carry baggage.

 

I bet the thieves will enjoy their stay in Thailand.

 

And, if they ever get out and return to China, they will most likely face further hardship.