Crime Bus Driver Steals from Romanian Tourist’s Credit Card

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A tour bus driver has been arrested after stealing a Romanian tourist’s credit card and using it to make a series of unauthorised ATM withdrawals totalling 280,000 baht, police have confirmed.

 

The victim, identified only as Ms Cristina, had been travelling from Koh Phangan to Phuket when her card went missing. After realising the card had been used fraudulently, she filed a complaint at Saku Police Station in Phuket. The case was quickly taken up by immigration and provincial police across Surat Thani and Phuket.

 

According to Police Colonel Naruwat Phuttharo, Commander of Surat Thani Immigration Police, the suspect was tracked down through CCTV footage, which showed him withdrawing money 14 times from various ATMs across Surat Thani city using a white vehicle.

 

The suspect, Mr Channarong, 34, was later arrested at his home on Talad Mai Road in Mueang District, Surat Thani. A court-approved search of the property uncovered 280,000 baht in cash, as well as the clothes he was seen wearing in the CCTV footage.

 

During questioning, Mr Channarong confessed to the crime. He admitted to finding the credit card on his tour bus, along with a note containing the PIN code. He said he tested the card and upon confirming it worked, made repeated cash withdrawals over several days.

 

He now faces multiple charges, including theft, unauthorised possession and use of another person’s electronic card and misappropriation of personal documents in a way likely to cause harm.

 

The suspect has been transferred to Saku Police Station in Phuket for further legal proceedings. Authorities confirmed that the stolen funds would be returned to the tourist following the completion of the investigation.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-05-22.

 

 

 

[tomazbodner]

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Mr Channarong confessed to the crime. He admitted to finding the credit card on his tour bus, along with a note containing the PIN code.

Clever woman...