A female taxi driver in Phuket has filed a police complaint against a reported European tourist after he allegedly took her handbag and mobile phone during a journey from Patong to Phuket Town. The incident, which was captured by an in-car camera and widely shared on social media, prompted intervention from members of the public who helped recover the driver’s belongings.

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Pol. Lt. Col. Wichit Nokkaew, an investigator at Patong Police Station, received a complaint, on 22 June 2026, from 39-year-old taxi driver Pichapa Saengkhan. She requested legal action against the foreign tourist following the incident that occurred while she was transporting him as a passenger.

Pichapa told investigators that at approximately 9.50am, she picked up a passenger, which she described as a large European male, outside Patong Hospital. The passenger asked to be taken to a hotel in Wichit subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district.

While travelling past Suwannakhiriwong Temple, the passenger allegedly reached over and took a handbag that had been placed on the front passenger seat. The bag contained a mobile phone, cash and several important documents.

The driver said she repeatedly asked for her property to be returned, but the passenger refused. When the vehicle reached the entrance to Khuan Yang Charoen Soi, she stopped the taxi and attempted to recover the bag while the passenger reportedly resisted and tried to open the door to escape.

Alarmed by the situation, Pichapa repeatedly sounded the vehicle’s horn to attract attention. Local residents and passing members of the public responded and approached the vehicle, prompting the passenger to return the handbag and all of its contents before leaving the vehicle and running off.

Daily News reported that the driver later attended Patong Police Station to formally report the incident and seek legal action against the suspect. Police have accepted the complaint as evidence and have coordinated with investigators to review CCTV footage from the area. Officers are also gathering witness statements and other evidence to identify and locate the foreign tourist for questioning and further legal proceedings.

Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 23 June 2026

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Caught red-handed on the dashcam. What a genius.

Somewhat retarded to do it so blatantly!

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

9.50am, she picked up a passenger

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

she stopped the taxi and attempted to recover the bag while the passenger reportedly resisted and tried to open the door to escape

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

entrance to Khuan Yang Charoen Soi,

I don't know the area but might driver consider driving immediately to the nearest police station to the Kathu Provincial Police Station than confront the passenger herself that she described as a large European male. Or simply exit the vehicle to seek assistance on foot?

I wonder what attracts people like this to Thailand

Another genius. What are these people thinking? Do they deposit their common sense into a special locker somewhere?

I think the driver did pretty well to get her property back. I hope they find the idiot and he is prosecuted.

What a sleazy <deleted>.

This idiot, and I hope and wish they catch him, belongs in the darkest Thai prison for a year and then gets kicked out of the country with a kick in the ass. Forever!

I might be wrong, but he looks like a degenerate draft dodger from Putin's army.

The guy just didn't look right. Hes got to have some form of disorder.

1 hour ago, Frankie baby said:

The guy just didn't look right. Hes got to have some form of disorder.

Yep , a disorder all right wearing his sunglasses on top of his head instead of on his face.

Won't take long to lift him, as soon as he walks into his hotel he will be recognised. Yes he looks eastern European Russian or Uzbek.

She's lucky he wasn't violent.

Taxi driver is not the safest occupation for a female.

7 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

I might be wrong, but he looks like a degenerate draft dodger from Putin's army.

Yep deffo a cossack. 👍

UPDATE

Phuket Police Charge Icelandic Tourist Over Taxi Theft

10 hours ago, Front Row said:

Another genius. What are these people thinking? Do they deposit their common sense into a special locker somewhere?

I think the driver did pretty well to get her property back. I hope they find the idiot and he is prosecuted.

Brave woman - and yes... What the actual eff... What goes through the minds of these degenerates ??

The degree of stupidity and insanity is astonishing...

In so many incidents we read of people suggesting 'deport and blacklist' - in these circumstances I'd most definately agree but with an addition - Charge them, lock them up for a period of time, then deport and black-list - don't just send them home to get away with it without further penalty.

5 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

Won't take long to lift him, as soon as he walks into his hotel he will be recognised. Yes he looks eastern European Russian or Uzbek.

Nah looks Icelandic !!! 🤣

Off topic troll posts removed @BarraMarra discuss the topic not other posters