Picture courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

In a startling incident at Pattaya Beach, a local bar waitress lost her motorbike during a staff birthday celebration. Sumitra Saengarun, 25, discovered her black GPX motorcycle missing at approximately 5.06am yesterday, just steps from the Pattaya City Police Station.

 

The theft occurred outside the Red Cat Bar, where Sumitra and her colleagues had been celebrating after closing time. Admitting to being “slightly intoxicated”, Sumitra left the key in the ignition, a lapse she would soon regret.

 

After returning inside the bar to collect some leftover food, she was shocked to find her motorbike mysteriously gone. The audacious theft, occurring less than 50 metres from the police, has stirred concern amongst residents.

 

CCTV footage revealed a heavyset woman, dressed in black, nonchalantly riding off with the bike. The suspect is believed to be a former employee of the bar, previously dismissed for theft.

 

Sumitra immediately reported the incident to Police Lieutenant Colonel Phupha Hongyakul at Pattaya City Police Station. Officers have begun an investigation, using the clear CCTV footage to track down the offender and bring her to justice.

 

This brazen crime near the police station raises questions about local safety, particularly in the early hours. The community anxiously awaits developments as police work to resolve the case. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, even in familiar surroundings.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-19

 

 

 

I'd go so far as to say this was absolutely brazen

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

CCTV footage revealed a heavyset woman, dressed in black, nonchalantly riding off with the bike. The suspect is believed to be a former employee of the bar, previously dismissed for theft.

Nah, she was drunk too and simply got on the wrong bike and rode it home! I bet nearly all the girls went home on the wrong bikes.

Leaving keys in motorbikes is a very long-standing Thai tradition, particularly upcountry.

 

On the one hand, it speaks volumes about the lack of theft in Thailand but on the other it does provide a golden opportunity for the dishonest and malevolent.

 

It is not a habit I will be taking up.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Admitting to being “slightly intoxicated”, Sumitra left the key in the ignition, a lapse she would soon regret.

Maybe the theft just saved her life

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This brazen crime near the police station raises questions about local safety,

They bang on about the proximity to the police station as if there were an aura about the building.  After my motor bike was clamped, I went there to secure its release at 1.30.  I wandered round unchecked for 15 minutes, calling loudly for assistance, before I woke a very grumpy cop who did the necessary.

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This brazen crime near the police station raises questions about local safety, particularly in the early hours.

Nonsense.

Can't fix stupid.

What should police do?

 

Stealing a bike with key attached is silent, no force.

Key removed, steering locked! No less than that.

Super cautious people will use padlock at the brake disc or more.

 

What makes me think: how far do the keyless "fobs" of a motorcycle work?

If I am inside a bar, motorcycle at roadside, can a thief try his luck?

Can he drive until ignition is switched off?

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

They bang on about the proximity to the police station as if there were an aura about the building.

Maybe 30 years ago my car was broken-in in broad daylight at a very frequented place of a major city about a 100 m from police station. Advantage: no long walk to file a report.

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

After my motor bike was clamped, I went there to secure its release at 1.30.

Lucky you.

Nowadays motorbike impounded and a special transporter moves the bikes to a place far out near Thepprasit rd. (Soi Khopai 9/3) where you can release it for a 1000 Baht (just for transport).

21 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Lucky you.

Nowadays motorbike impounded and a special transporter moves the bikes to a place far out near Thepprasit rd. (Soi Khopai 9/3) where you can release it for a 1000 Baht (just for transport).

Wow - luckily I decided that 75 was too old to be driving a motorbike on Thai roads and got rid.  Now I drive my car about aimlessly looking for parking spots.

Makes you wonder just how many scooters here are stolen. They should have spot checks daily in all areas, asking for papers, which should be kept with the bikes, to prove ownership. This also means you carry ID with you, as most in the west already do. A used scooter is cheap, so most here should be able to afford one, but theft happens, especially in poorer countries, daily, and all types, so stealing scooters should be a given here. Never leaving your keys in your scooter stops this crime easily. Only takes a second to take them out and put back in. Part of what should be in driver's ED here.

9 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Wow - luckily I decided that 75 was too old to be driving a motorbike on Thai roads and got rid.  Now I drive my car about aimlessly looking for parking spots.

And are a whole lot safer because of that.

From title of thread I was expecting a video of someone angle grinding off a chain in front of the owners abode.