BANGKOK — Police have arrested a taxi driver in Bangkok who confessed to using a fake hand gun to rob two American tourists who were riding in his cab.
On 5 August, the Americans reported to the police that they were robbed at gunpoint by their taxi driver in downtown Bangkok on Soi Sukhumvit 15, before being ordered out of the taxi. The taxi driver reportedly took 3,000 baht.
After studying CCTV footage, police identified Attanop Kongsaengkham, 30, as the suspect, said Pol.Lt.Col. Thanet Meethong, an officer at Lumpini Police Station.
Mr. Attanop was arrested in his apartment in Bangkok's Yannawa district at 2 am this morning. He confessed to committing the robbery but said he used a fake handgun, which police later found during a search of his room.
Mr. Attanop claimed he had previously committed "two robberies" in the same manner and used the money for “leisure,” police say.
He has been charged with robbery at nighttime, robbery using a vehicle, and armed robbery.
Police are urging anyone who might have been robbed by Mr. Attanop to come forward and press additional charges against him at Lumpini Police Station.
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