Phuket Motorbike Thief Blames Island's Lack Of Public Transport

[webfact]

Phuket motorbike thief blames island's lack of public transport
Phuket Gazette


Mr Koson claimed he had no option but to steal the motorbike as there were no buses in Phuket Town at night. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: A 24-year-old local handyman says Phuket’s lack of public transport is the reason he stole a motorbike to go visit a friend.

Phuket City Police arrested Koson Hongthong yesterday morning at the old weekend market on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town (map here).

Mr Koson was found in possession of a Yamaha Fino that was reported stolen by its owner, Suraphong Makum, last week.

“Mr Suraphong reported that he left his bike running while he got off to answer his mobile phone on Sri Suthat Road at 9pm last Thursday night,” Maj Kritsana Jannit of the Phuket City Police explained.

“He saw Mr Koson run up, jump on the bike and ride off. Mr Suraphong called us again this morning [May 28] when he saw his motorbike parked in front of Surin Road Soi 3,” he added.

Police arrived at the scene and waited for the thief to return.

“As we approached the motorbike, he saw us and quickly rode off,” Maj Kritsana said.

Police gave chase and caught up with Mr Koson at the old market.

“He dumped the bike and ran, but we surrounded him and eventually arrested him,” Maj Kritsana said.

Speaking in front of the press, Mr Koson claimed he needed to see a friend urgently, but had no way of getting across town to see him.

“I did not want to steal Mr Suraphong’s bike. I was just in a hurry as my friend is a police informant and he called me asking me to meet him right away. There was no public bus available because it was in the evening,” he said.

“I did not intend to steal – and I didn’t sell any of the bike parts [the motorbike was returned complete – Ed]. I just wanted to borrow it, but did not have time to return it to the owner,” Mr Koson said.

Despite his claims, Mr Koson was charged with theft.

“He has admitted that he stole the motorbike. He is now being detained for further questioning,” Maj Kritsana said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-motorbike-thief-blames-island-s-lack-of-public-transport-21181.html


-- Phuket News 2013-05-29

[Payboy]

he got off to answer his mobile phone

That's gotta be a first.

[IrishIvan]

His friend is a police informant? He definitely would have been caught then

[gl555]

Hahahahahahahha! Pretty lame excuse for being a thieving scum! Lame though admittedly unique.

[IrishIvan]

he got off to answer his mobile phone

 

That's gotta be a first.

Good reason not to stop to answer it

[hansgruber]

Is police informant a job description? Full time? He isn't a chef but part time informant? Bizarre. I guess they have witch doctors and fortune tellers. Anything is possible.

[NamKangMan]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point. :)

[lee b]

yeah right what a <deleted> tool !!

[IrishIvan]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point. :) 

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

[NamKangMan]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

You missed it, Irishlvan.

His motive for stealing the motorbike was the lack of public transport on Phuket.

As tuk-tuks are so expensive, yes, he probably couldn't have afforded one - so, it's a shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk, just to prove there is no proper and affordable public transport here.

Read the heading again. "Phuket motorbike thief blames island's lack of public transport." - it has everything to do with the tuk-tuk issue here.

[hansgruber]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

You missed it, Irishlvan.

 

His motive for stealing the motorbike was the lack of public transport on Phuket. 

 

As tuk-tuks are so expensive, yes, he probably couldn't have afforded one - so, it's a shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk, just to prove there is no proper and affordable public transport here. 

 

Read the heading again.  "Phuket motorbike thief blames island's lack of public transport." - it has everything to do with the tuk-tuk issue here.  

We appreciate being reminded at every given chance you get.

Keep up the good expat community service.

[IrishIvan]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

You missed it, Irishlvan.

 

His motive for stealing the motorbike was the lack of public transport on Phuket. 

 

As tuk-tuks are so expensive, yes, he probably couldn't have afforded one - so, it's a shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk, just to prove there is no proper and affordable public transport here. 

 

Read the heading again.  "Phuket motorbike thief blames island's lack of public transport." - it has everything to do with the tuk-tuk issue here.  

Ok this is still on topic because it revolves around public transport. NKM

How does tuk tuks affect you? Not at all because you dont use them

Do you use them every week? No, Well I do and I am happy with them

Do your guests get upset about them? No because you dont have any. Wheras my guests state they are happy with the service.

NKM you are obbsessed. You and all the people you know dont use tuk tuks. What do you care?

[madmitch]

With a headline like that the culprit is surely a Thai Visa member.

[NamKangMan]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

You missed it, Irishlvan.

His motive for stealing the motorbike was the lack of public transport on Phuket.

As tuk-tuks are so expensive, yes, he probably couldn't have afforded one - so, it's a shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk, just to prove there is no proper and affordable public transport here.

Read the heading again. "Phuket motorbike thief blames island's lack of public transport." - it has everything to do with the tuk-tuk issue here.

We appreciate being reminded at every given chance you get.

Keep up the good expat community service.

And I'm given a lot of chances - almost on a daily basis.

[NamKangMan]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

You missed it, Irishlvan.

His motive for stealing the motorbike was the lack of public transport on Phuket.

As tuk-tuks are so expensive, yes, he probably couldn't have afforded one - so, it's a shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk, just to prove there is no proper and affordable public transport here.

Read the heading again. "Phuket motorbike thief blames island's lack of public transport." - it has everything to do with the tuk-tuk issue here.

Ok this is still on topic because it revolves around public transport. NKM

How does tuk tuks affect you? Not at all because you dont use them

Do you use them every week? No, Well I do and I am happy with them

Do your guests get upset about them? No because you dont have any. Wheras my guests state they are happy with the service.

NKM you are obbsessed. You and all the people you know dont use tuk tuks. What do you care?

"What do you care?" - I care because they restrict my freedom of movement around the island, especially when socialising and alcohol is involved - as I will not drive/ride whilst intoxicated, and they have created terrible traffic problems on the island which, in turn, effects safety on the roads here for all of us, noise pollution and parking problems.

These are the main things that DIRECTLY effect me, and I would suggest, yourself and many others.

[IrishIvan]

You missed it, Irishlvan.

His motive for stealing the motorbike was the lack of public transport on Phuket.

As tuk-tuks are so expensive, yes, he probably couldn't have afforded one - so, it's a shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk, just to prove there is no proper and affordable public transport here.

Read the heading again. "Phuket motorbike thief blames island's lack of public transport." - it has everything to do with the tuk-tuk issue here.

Ok this is still on topic because it revolves around public transport. NKM

How does tuk tuks affect you? Not at all because you dont use them

Do you use them every week? No, Well I do and I am happy with them

Do your guests get upset about them? No because you dont have any. Wheras my guests state they are happy with the service.

NKM you are obbsessed. You and all the people you know dont use tuk tuks. What do you care?

"What do you care?" - I care because they restrict my freedom of movement around the island, especially when socialising and alcohol is involved - as I will not drive/ride whilst intoxicated, and they have created terrible traffic problems on the island which, in turn, effects safety on the roads here for all of us, noise pollution and parking problems.

These are the main things that DIRECTLY effect me, and I would suggest, yourself and many others.

But you never leave Patong.

[Andre0720]

Well, if you had a reason, must be ok then.

You can go...but just be careful now when you have a reason to kill someone...

[skiller]

You guys write always, " do not use a TUk TUK in Phuket..."

Now this is the end of the story.

[jacko45k]

With the price of a songtaew in Phuket stealing a bike and then paying a police fine is likely a cheaper option!

[Dap]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

Yeah but Ivan, Bottom line here. Don't you think it woud be funnier than <deleted>*k if he did steal a tuk-tuk because there wasn't any "public transport" available? Tip o' the hat for that one NKM

[IrishIvan]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

 

Yeah but Ivan, Bottom line here. Don't you think it woud be funnier than  <deleted>*k if he did steal a tuk-tuk because there wasn't any "public transport" available? Tip o' the hat for that one NKM

A police car would really make me smile

[Dap]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

I think you might be slightly obsessed about tuk tuks. This guy just stole a bike to go and see his police informant pal. Nothing to do with tuk tuks. I doubt whether he could afford a tuk tuk anyway

Yeah but Ivan, Bottom line here. Don't you think it woud be funnier than <deleted>*k if he did steal a tuk-tuk because there wasn't any "public transport" available? Tip o' the hat for that one NKM

A police car would really make me smile

And I will wholeheartedly agree

[bangarang]

Shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk instead - just to prove the point.

LoL... I know thats fighting fire with fire, but I would love to see that happen.

[Mudcrab]

You missed it, Irishlvan.

His motive for stealing the motorbike was the lack of public transport on Phuket.

As tuk-tuks are so expensive, yes, he probably couldn't have afforded one - so, it's a shame he didn't steal a tuk-tuk, just to prove there is no proper and affordable public transport here.

Read the heading again. "Phuket motorbike thief blames island's lack of public transport." - it has everything to do with the tuk-tuk issue here.

Ok this is still on topic because it revolves around public transport. NKM

How does tuk tuks affect you? Not at all because you dont use them

Do you use them every week? No, Well I do and I am happy with them

Do your guests get upset about them? No because you dont have any. Wheras my guests state they are happy with the service.

NKM you are obbsessed. You and all the people you know dont use tuk tuks. What do you care?

"What do you care?" - I care because they restrict my freedom of movement around the island, especially when socialising and alcohol is involved - as I will not drive/ride whilst intoxicated, and they have created terrible traffic problems on the island which, in turn, effects safety on the roads here for all of us, noise pollution and parking problems.

These are the main things that DIRECTLY effect me, and I would suggest, yourself and many others.

I think the booze is DIRECTLY affecting you....not the transport situation. If you aren't using them, and not driving or riding...how does the traffic problem become an issue?

[Phronesis]

Note to self...don't use a Fino as a getaway vehicle...

[krisb]

Bit scary having this handyman working at your house

[belg]

next time, steal a TUK TUK

no-one will miss it

[LivinginKata]

Troll post removed

[britpop]

i stole a midget once, rode him like a horse for miles, public transport was on strike, the poor guy in the report had to steal a bike, my heart goes out to him, hope he didn't drop his ipad 3, iphone 5, samsung note3, rolex oyster watch, didn't get oil on his designer sports wear, i jest of coarse, hard labour down the salt mines i say, or at least washing the ladies down in christians massage

[DRONGOH]

A very sad and touching story.