A young Thai man has been arrested after snatching a gold necklace from a foreigner on Third Road, Pattaya. The incident happened across from the Tony’s Gym complex whilst the victims were waiting to turn into the car park on a motorbike.

Pattaya, the 13th of November 2009 [PDN]: At approximately 8:00pm on Friday night Police General Narongdet Tanaphoonsin received a report that a theft had occur near Tony’s Gym complex on the Third Road. Police arrived to find the culprit Mr Phiharn Sriwilay sitting on the curb with an angry crowd of onlookers gathered around him. The victim was a Russian national now known to be Mr Anton Veresh Chagin age 28 who had been travelling to the gym with his Thai girlfriend Miss Wisanee Yoha age 24, when the incident occurred.

Miss Yoha explained to police that she and her boyfriend were sitting on their motorbike in the middle of the road waiting to turn into the Tony’s Gym car park. Mr Sriwilay pulled up beside them and snatched a gold necklace from around Mr Chagin’s neck. The force of the snatch put the victims off balance, sending them crashing to the road. Miss Yoha sustained scratches to both her legs and arms, whilst Mr Chagin received a scratched neck from the chain snatch.

The offender tried to flee but in his hast he crashed into a motorbike in front of him, proceeding to attempt to escape on foot. Luckily for the victims Mr Tawat Kanghe age 23, a motorbike taxi driver, witnessed the incident and decided to go after the culprit. After the interview process both Mr Chagin and Miss Yoha were sent to the Banglamung Hospital to receive treatment for their minor injuries.

After interrogation Mr Phiharn declared that he had asked his mother for some money in order to pay for the rent of his room, but she refused. So in anger he stole her motorcycle deciding to use it in order to snatch some jewellery off unsuspecting people. Mr Phiharn also stated that this was the first time that he had committed such an offence, and that he was deeply regretful for his crime.

Police have refused to believe his story as the crime of jewellery snatching is quite popular amongst the youth of the region. Police performed a background check on Mr Phiharn before taking him back to the station to be put through the rest of the justice process.

Source:

http://pattayadailynews.com

A similar story from http://www.pattayaone.net/news but with pictures:

Russian Tourist caught up in South Pattaya Necklace Snatch.

Pattaya, November 14 [PATTAYA ONE NEWS] : On Friday Night, Police and Volunteers made their way to Pattaya Third Road in front of Tony’s Gym following reports that locals had detained a Thai Man suspected of snatching a gold necklace from a Russian Tourist. At the scene, officers were met by Mr. Anton Vershgin aged 27 from Russia and his Thai Girlfriend Khun Wasanee aged 24 who reported that the man in custody had snatched Mr. Vershgin’s gold necklace with cross from around his neck and then attempted to escape but hit another bike in the process and was detained by local motorbike taxi drivers. Both victims sustained minor injuries and before going to Hospital, were taken to Pattaya Police Station where Police Lieutenant Colonel Sutum took up the case and interviewed the suspected thief Khun Pihan aged 20 who claimed he committed the crime so he could use the money he would get for the necklace to purchase drugs. He also said this was the second time he had committed such a crime. The two victims stated they were pulling into the Gym car park when the snatch took place. Khun Pihan was charged with theft and remains behind bars pending a court appearance.

How many times have we heard this story before?

When are people going to learn to stop wearing gold chains in Pattaya?

How many times have we heard this story before?

When are people going to learn to stop wearing gold chains in Pattaya?

Yes indeed when they gonna stop wearing gold,when they gonna stop drinking alcohol.when they gonna stop going to the gym or should we say when they gonna stop coming to Pattaya or stop heaving a life??

How many times have we heard this story before?

When are people going to learn to stop wearing gold chains in Pattaya?

Yes indeed when they gonna stop wearing gold,when they gonna stop drinking alcohol.when they gonna stop going to the gym or should we say when they gonna stop coming to Pattaya or stop heaving a life??

No need for that,anyone foreigner who walks around with a big gold chain hanging around there neck is asking for trouble.

Both victims sustained minor injuries and before going to Hospital, were taken to Pattaya Police Station where Police Lieutenant Colonel Sutum took up the case and interviewed the suspected thief Khun Pihan aged 20 who claimed he committed the crime so he could use the money he would get for the necklace to purchase drugs.

The criminals here are remarkably forthcoming with self incriminating information. Better to say it was for a sick buffalo or mama's operation ...