Vietnamese Man Arrested Over Phuket Villa Burglary

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Police have arrested a Vietnamese man accused of stealing cash from a Hong Kong tourist’s pool villa in Phuket. The 40-year-old suspect, identified as H. Van Chay, was detained at a guesthouse in Patong, after officers traced a motorcycle seen on CCTV near the scene of the burglary. Police said they also recovered the clothing he was allegedly wearing during the theft.

The burglary occurred early on October 26 at a villa in the Premsap housing estate in Kathu District. The victim, identified only as Po, 33, from Hong Kong, reported that HK$5,000 and 25,000 baht, were stolen from a bag left in the living room. CCTV footage reviewed by the villa manager, Pilawan Tathep, 34, showed a man entering the property around 02:00 and taking the cash.

Investigators tracked the red-and-black Honda PCX160 motorcycle used by the suspect to the Madame House building on Phra Metta Road. The guesthouse owner confirmed that the bike belonged to a Vietnamese tenant with tattoos on both arms. When questioned by police, Chay admitted to the burglary after being shown the video footage.

Pol. Col. Chalermchai Hernsawat, superintendent of Patong Police Station, said the arrest came five days after the crime following a coordinated investigation that relied heavily on CCTV analysis. Officers have seized the motorcycle and the suspect’s clothes as key evidence in the case.

Chay has been charged with nighttime theft, which carries a penalty of between one and five years in prison and a fine ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 baht. He remains in police custody pending prosecution. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any of the stolen cash has been recovered.

The case highlights Phuket police’s continued use of surveillance technology to track criminal suspects targeting foreign tourists on the island. Local officials said investigations are ongoing to determine if Chay is linked to any other property crimes in the area.

Key Takeaways

• A Vietnamese man has been arrested for stealing over 40,000 baht in cash from a Hong Kong tourist’s Phuket villa.

• Police traced the suspect through CCTV footage and a distinctive red-and-black motorcycle.

• The man faces up to five years in prison for nighttime theft and remains in custody.

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Khaosod  2025-11-01