Crime Algerian Pickpockets Arrested in Bangkok After Targeting Chinese Tourist

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of CH7.

 

Tourist police have arrested two Algerian nationals in connection with a series of thefts targeting travellers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, including a Chinese tourist who had her belongings stolen while navigating the terminal.

 

The suspects, aged 58 and 59, were apprehended on 31 May under arrest warrants issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court (warrants no. 493/2568 and 494/2568). The pair face charges of “joint theft at an airport” and “unauthorised use of another person’s electronic card in a manner likely to cause damage to others.”

 

Officers from Subdivision 3 of the Tourist Police Bureau, led by Police Colonel Monporn Likhitmanon, coordinated the arrest. Authorities seized multiple high-end brand-name goods and stolen items believed to be linked to previous thefts, with the total value estimated at 40,000 baht.

 

The arrests followed a report made on 28 May via the Thailand Tourist Police mobile application. A Chinese tourist reported having valuables stolen near Gate 4 on the ground floor of the terminal at approximately 18:00. She noticed two men closely following her and later discovered her bag had been opened and items were missing.

 

CCTV footage confirmed that two foreign men had tailed the victim from the Airport Rail Link station and then took advantage of a brief distraction to open her bag. One suspect acted as a lookout while the other carried out the theft, before the pair calmly left the scene.

 

Tourist police investigators linked the suspects to a string of thefts across Bangkok’s crowded public transport network, including at BTS and Airport Rail Link stations. They reportedly used stolen credit cards to purchase expensive branded goods before moving on to their next target.

 

With sufficient evidence gathered, police secured warrants and tracked the suspects to the Ramkhamhaeng area in Bangkok, where they were taken into custody and are now facing legal proceedings.

 

The victim, who has since returned to China, was contacted by Thai authorities via the WeChat app. She was informed that some of her stolen belongings had been recovered. Expressing her gratitude, she praised the swift and professional action of the tourist police and assured them that she intends to return to Thailand to personally retrieve her property and to holiday in the country again.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from CH7 2025-06-02.