Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Hotnews

 

In a recent incident in Phuket's bustling Patong neighbourhood, local police arrested two Iranian men accused of stealing trainers from a second-hand shoe shop on Phang Mueang Sai Kor Road. The event unfolded on Thursday, July 3, when officers at the Patong Police Station were alerted to the theft through CCTV footage.

 

Caught on camera, the two men were seen trying on several pairs of trainers before slipping out with a pair of grey Adidas featuring striking red stripes. Their swift getaway was made on a Honda Click motorcycle. Although the specific value of the shoes remains undisclosed, the act of theft was clearly documented.

 

Utilising to the CCTV evidence, the police efficiently tracked the suspects to a nearby hotel. They were apprehended in room 505 and promptly escorted to Patong Police Station, where the stolen trainers were retrieved. Though the suspects' names haven't been publicly disclosed, they have been confirmed as Iranian nationals.

 

The men now face charges under Section 334 of the Criminal Code for committing theft—a crime which carries a potential penalty of up to three years' imprisonment and/or a fine up to 60,000 Thai baht. However, since a motorcycle was involved to aid in their escape, they could face an increased penalty, up to one and a half times the standard punishment.

 

In a related narrative, this case echoes an earlier incident in April when another Iranian couple was detained in Pattaya. This pair, aged 49 and 42, was involved in the infamous "show-me-your-money" scam, deceiving an Israeli tourist and vanishing with US$700, equivalent to about 23,000 baht. They were later caught in possession of matching banknotes and charged with theft committed at night.

 

These events have underscored the need for vigilance among tourists and residents alike in Thailand's popular destinations. While isolated, such incidents highlight the challenges of maintaining security in areas with high tourist activity.

 

Authorities continue to urge businesses and the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities. Meanwhile, police are reminding visitors to be cautious and aware of their surroundings to avoid falling victim to similar scams or thefts.

 

The local community in Patong is particularly attentive, hoping that such efficient police work will deter future incidents and assure visitors of their safety in this vibrant Thai locale.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-07

 

 

Caught stealing from a second hand shoe shop 🙈 How desperate can you be ?

I'm betting them 'adidas' shoes are as fake as his £500 Balenciaga t-shirt 😄

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Utilising to the CCTV evidence, the police efficiently tracked the suspects to a nearby hotel. They were apprehended in room 505 and promptly escorted to Patong Police Station, where the stolen trainers were retrieved.

How embarrassing, nicked for stealing a second-hand pair of trainers...

enjoy your flight home.

 

In Iran, their hands are chopped off as punishment, or rather their feet in this case.

They go no soul..🤣🤣

Where do these second-hand shoes come from? I am always afraid of losing my shoes when I visit a temple.

 

let him go free... he was going to throw it on Khameini 

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Good to see another secondhand merchandise mafia crime ring taken down.

1 hour ago, BerndD said:

In Iran, their hands are chopped off as punishment, or rather their feet in this case.

No they don't, that's Saudi, Iran under the Ayatollah's amputate the 4 fingers of the left hand for a first offence (not the whole hand), 2nd offence you lose your left foot, third time is imprisonment, and 4th go round can be execution.

2 hours ago, ronster said:

Caught stealing from a second hand shoe shop 🙈 How desperate can you be ?

I'm betting them 'adidas' shoes are as fake as his £500 Balenciaga t-shirt 😄

How low can anyone sink?

2 hours ago, BerndD said:

In Iran, their hands are chopped off as punishment, or rather their feet in this case.

Unlike here, how many years will he go to jail?

Perhaps he wanted to gift them to Ali K.

Another Quality Tourist, from the nation newly granted visas waiver status.

 

Having money to come here  but no  dam* satang   for a pair of shoes he wanted?

 

Thai govt now gets you the ticket to free accom inside steel bars.

3 hours ago, ronster said:

Caught stealing from a second hand shoe shop 🙈 How desperate can you be ?

I'm betting them 'adidas' shoes are as fake as his £500 Balenciaga t-shirt 😄

 

Even funnier if they grabbed Adibus, instead of Addidas.

 

2 of the lucky son of the bitc*es for getting caught here, instead of back home.

 

If they do that at home, and end up as...

 

 

  

 

2 hours ago, BerndD said:

In Iran, their hands are chopped off as punishment, or rather their feet in this case.

 

As Sharia laws also apply to criminal penalty.

 

59 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

How low can anyone sink?

 

 

Literary  the Low Life...

The low-life probably thought they were new, as that's what new looks like where they come from.....😬

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

No they don't, that's Saudi, Iran under the Ayatollah's amputate the 4 fingers of the left hand for a first offence (not the whole hand), 2nd offence you lose your left foot, third time is imprisonment, and 4th go round can be execution.

Oh sorry, I didn't know that the Iranian judiciary is so human. But hanging to death is still carried out on cranes?

1 hour ago, transam said:

The low-life probably thought they were new, as that's what new looks like where they come from.....😬

 

In the third world countries, those who can afford any holiday trips  are usually in the middle class or above(quite affluent).

 

Still, caught up  for cheap theft in another "third world country".

 

Right load of cobblers.....the guy sounds like a real heel, obviously has no soul.

 

Should be laced up to the nearest tree and given a good shoeing or at least a good tongue lashing.

Dodging the payment of cost.

Now must pay the "price" far greater than the initial merchandise's. 

Also for other counts disclosed.

3 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

How low can anyone sink?

It's called poverty 

It’s time all the foreign petty criminals caught in Thailand get booted out and never allowed to return.

Dumb as dog poo 💩

Secondhand shoes? That is cold. Enjoy the fish head soup and the trip back to the desert. 

I dont know but I drove past a shop in Phuket town the other night full of second hand shoes, from outside it looked mostly trainers, 

On 7/8/2025 at 11:40 AM, black tabby12345 said:

Another Quality Tourist, from the nation newly granted visas waiver status.

 

Having money to come here  but no  dam* satang   for a pair of shoes he wanted?

 

Thai govt now gets you the ticket to free accom inside steel bars.

My in laws came from Tehran a couple of years ago to Phuket they had to apply for a visa, I'm not sure if that's still the case,