Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

A Korean tourist has reported the theft of his mobile phone, cash and credit cards while travelling on a shared songthaew in Pattaya, prompting a police investigation amid concerns over visitor safety. The incident was reported at 11.35pm on 19 January at Pattaya City Police Station, where officers recorded a formal complaint and began gathering evidence. Police said the case could affect confidence among tourists using public transport in the resort city.

The victim, identified as Mr Hong, a South Korean national, was accompanied to the police station by Ms Kham, a Myanmar national, who assisted him in filing the complaint. According to the report, Mr Hong was travelling on a cooperative songthaew service from Pattaya South Road towards Soi Bongkot. The alleged theft occurred during the journey and was only discovered after he had exited the vehicle.

Ms Kham told investigators that a ladyboy sat next to Mr Hong while a Thai woman, believed to be working as part of the same group, was also on board. She said the suspects appeared to act in coordination, using a moment of distraction to pickpocket the victim without his immediate awareness. The stolen items included one Samsung mobile phone, 4,000 baht in cash and two credit cards.

After realising his belongings were missing, Mr Hong sought help from Ms Kham, who volunteered to escort him to Pattaya City Police Station to report the crime. Officers took statements from both individuals and logged the details of the stolen property. No injuries were reported and the suspects fled the scene before the theft was discovered.

Investigators have coordinated with the police investigative unit to review closed-circuit television footage along the route where the incident occurred. Police said cameras on nearby roads and areas used by songthaew services could help identify and track the suspects.

Police said efforts are under way to locate and apprehend the suspects so legal action can be taken, once CCTV analysis is complete and additional witness statements are gathered. Officers also advised visitors to remain vigilant with personal belongings when using shared public transport.

Key Takeaways

• A Korean tourist reported being pickpocketed on a Pattaya songthaew late on 19 January.

• Stolen items included a Samsung phone, 4,000 baht in cash and two credit cards.

• Pattaya police are reviewing CCTV footage to identify and arrest the suspects.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from SiamChon 2026-01-20

 

 

Thieves on foot, and thieves on wheels!

If Pattaya city management are going to keep these cattle cars as a primary source of public transport, the least they can do is get the songtaew cooperative to install cctv on the bloody awful things. A tamper-proof, quality, dual-camera dash cam installation would do the job.

Also have the number of the songtaew displayed on a large plate inside the cattle car. Similar to Bangkok taxis that have the registration plate details displayed on tags riveted to the inside of the passenger doors.

With cctv/dashcams, along with easier identification of the vehicle, there's a better chance of narrowing down the hunt for the perpetrators of such crimes.

In lieu of any improvements in passenger safety, if you are in a songtaew and it stops to pick up any ladyboy, take the opportunity to get off and get another ride.

Lucky Ms Kham was on hand to help. I suspect his loss was also hers.

Having been robbed on a baht bus myself i can sympathize. You don't think it can happen to you but the thieves are skillful. Be aware of any distractions on the bus or anyone with a large bag on their lap. It was just a small amount of cash so i didn't even report it. But it was a valuable lesson for future travel.

Sorry but if your self awareness is so dim that you can't perceive being pickpocketed then you deserve it.

18 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Sorry but if your self awareness is so dim that you can't perceive being pickpocketed then you deserve it.

Nonsense..... they are skilful and rely on distraction.

27 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

45 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Sorry but if your self awareness is so dim that you can't perceive being pickpocketed then you deserve it.

Nonsense..... they are skilful and rely on distraction.

You do realize that @Woke to Sounds is probably the most self-aware forum member, don't you?

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Thieves on foot, and thieves on wheels!

Tourist with brains left at home again

Key Takeaways

The rotten drivers are in on the thefts transporting this low life around the city. Divving up later in the day.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

was accompanied to the police station by Ms Kham, a Myanmar national, who assisted him in filing the complaint.

How very nice of her....

We are lucky in Hua Hin. Sangthaews are mostly used by schoolkids, some of the office workers on the strip, and mostly old feeble farangs. Slim pickings for pickpockets, unless they are looking for candy, denture fixative, and soiled tissues.

6 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Sorry but if your self awareness is so dim that you can't perceive being pickpocketed then you deserve it.

You obviously don't know how they do it, which makes you an easy target.

Do a bit of research instead of victim blaming.

I never bring my phone and credit cards with me when going outside for a drink.

Keep it in the hotel safe.

So police are looking for some people who may or may not look a bit suspicious- well that will not be hard to find in that town

When one sees all the Koreans or Japanese flaunting their cash and getting drunk in lady bars or freelance bars like at the Thermae in Bangkok, not surprised that they become prey to the dishonest.

Looking for a man dressed as a woman. In Pattaya. How difficult can that be?

I'm sure there are plenty of AN members eager to volunteer as genital inspectors.

21 hours ago, NanLaew said:

You do realize that @Woke to Sounds is probably the most self-aware forum member, don't you?

Seem well aware of himself!