Finnish tourist slashed while fighting off bag thieves in Phuket

[webfact]

Finnish tourist slashed while fighting off bag thieves
Phuket Gazette


The thieves slashed Ms Ruohonen's arm as she attempted to fight them off. Photo: Karon Police

PHUKET: -- A Finnish tourist was seriously wounded when she attempted to fight off bag snatchers in Phuket on Saturday night.

“Two men drove by on a motorbike and attempted to swipe the bag off the shoulder of Mari Inkeri Ruohonen, 31,” explained Karon Police Superintendent Sompong Boonrat. “However, when she resisted, they pulled a box cutter out and attempted to slice the strap of the bag. In the process they made an estimated 30cm cut along her arm.”

Ms Ruohonen was returning by foot to her hotel room with fellow Finnish national Otto Pertterli Finikaeheimonen at about 10:45pm.

Ms Ruohonen was rushed to Bangkok Hospital Phuket.

The thieves made off with the bag, which contained 9,000 baht cash, a driver’s licence and a credit card.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Finnish-tourist-slashed-fighting-off-bag-thieves/62857?desktopversion

-- Phuket Gazette 2016-01-12

[Somtamnication]

Like midtown Manhattan.

[balo]

Never fight back, 9000 baht and a drivers license is not worth it compared with your own life. We had a Russian woman who was killed by stab wounds after a bag snatch in Pattaya 2 years ago , the CCTV video went viral .

[smedly]

what a wonderful safe place Thailand is http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/885703-british-woman-injured-and-valuables-stolen-in-daylight-phuket-snatch-and-grab-theft/

[HLover]

This incident may cut into her holiday time.

What happened to her companion Otto?

[Briggsy]

As I said on the other thread, knife-wielding bag snatchers attacking women from motorbikes 2-up is Phuket's signature crime. Police are useless, too busy "self-funding" and reluctant to upset the locals.

[Happy Grumpy]

Jeez. It's almost like living in the West nowadays.

[xerostar]

An Australian woman from Perth died from the same type of attack about a year ago. I hope the brave lady will be OK. Dammed if I would just hand over my cash to these cockroaches without a fight.

[steven100]

need to carry pepper spray in your pocket, and let em have it !!

[oneday]

I wonder what, "...fellow Finnish national Otto Pertterli Finikaeheimonen..." was doing while she was being robbed and slashed.

[Thian]

Today the whole newsthread is full of attacks against foreigners....i hope this trend stops soon.

[apetley]

Today the whole newsthread is full of attacks against foreigners....i hope this trend stops soon.

The reporting or the attacks?

[Felt 35]

Today the whole newsthread is full of attacks against foreigners....i hope this trend stops soon.

It will be worse...the average Somchai do not financially benefit from the "Happy" slogan in Bangkok.

[harada]

Today the whole newsthread is full of attacks against foreigners....i hope this trend stops soon.

It will be worse...the average Somchai do not financially benefit from the "Happy" slogan in Bangkok.

. Yes I agree,it will get worse, a lot of people have lost their livelihoods for various reasons over the last 12 months so they are resorting to other means to survive so people need to take special care, bag snatching has been around fore quite a while but it seems to be getting a bit more violent of late.

[madmitch]

The press usually provide a bit more information regarding the location. This article just states Phuket, then mentions Karon Police. Anyone know where this attack took place?

[Deli]

and the BIB's are busy writing tickets to helmless motorbike riders, as this fills their pockets better...

[gyrosman]

Again, another senseless attack however: do not tourist read about the do's and don't of traveling overseas, especially in today's world.

[jgm005]

This incident may cut into her holiday time.

What happened to her companion Otto?

What a D/A comment 'cut into her holiday time'.

Funny? Yea right

[Colabamumbai]

Keep your valuables in your pocket or hidden under your clothes. Just keep your morning shit it your bag for them.

If everyone did this the bag snatching would stop soon.

[sanukjim]

Out late,coming back ALONE in the dark.Why ask for trouble.When on a visit to a foreign country learn about the ins and outs of surviving while there.When in Thailand do not wear any necklace that even looks like it may be gold,do not wonder alone late in an unfamiliar area,carry only what you need to spend on you with a COPY of your passport and visa.USE common sence.Things still may happen to you even in this manner but show diligence not ignorance.

[gk10002000]

Ladies, and Gentlemen, STOP wearing or carrying hand bags! Get a good old fashioned fanny pack. Drape your shirt over it. For a night out, it can contain all you need, credit card(s), debit card, copy of passport, cash, cell phone, camera if you still use one, minimum emergency toiletry things like Toilet paper, tampon etc. You just have to make a smaller target.

[trogers]

Looks like Phuket needs to register all locals getting in and out of the island to control crime and reckless driving.

[sebastion]

The press usually provide a bit more information regarding the location. This article just states Phuket, then mentions Karon Police. Anyone know where this attack took place?

I was about to post the same thing.

Karon Juristiction starts at La Meridien, Karon noi Beach and ends near Momtri's villa cru on Patak Rd and for the coastal road it ends at Kata lookout so where it happened is anyone's guess.

[IAMHERE]

Like midtown Manhattan.

Bull Hockey, there arn't any motorbikes in midtown Manhattan. Never even seen one on Seinfeld

Somchai knows not to do the crime if he can't do the time. That is why so many of these crimes because the penalty 'if caught' is so slight. We'll see more and more of them.

Edited January 12, 2016 by IAMHERE

[apetley]

Out late,coming back ALONE in the dark.Why ask for trouble.When on a visit to a foreign country learn about the ins and outs of surviving while there.When in Thailand do not wear any necklace that even looks like it may be gold,do not wonder alone late in an unfamiliar area,carry only what you need to spend on you with a COPY of your passport and visa.USE common sence.Things still may happen to you even in this manner but show diligence not ignorance.

The victim wasn't alone. She was with a male companion according to the article.

[springheeled jack]

things appear to be getting desperate for these bag snatchers in Phuket 1 dead lady 2 badly injured ladies where will it end .

[GeckosDiving]

I'm still waiting for someone to say it's just Thainess..................

[puukao]

welcome to LOS

Land of Slashers

[Just1Voice]

things appear to be getting desperate for these bag snatchers in Phuket 1 dead lady 2 badly injured ladies where will it end .

It's not going to stop, and will only get worse, until the cops take a PROACTIVE approach to things, instead of a REACTIVE approach.

[northernphil]

what a wonderful safe place Thailand is http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/885703-british-woman-injured-and-valuables-stolen-in-daylight-phuket-snatch-and-grab-theft/

It is safe in most places , if only folk would avoid places starting with P. but most other places aren't as exciting I guess.