PATTAYA, Thailand — A fortune teller in Pattaya has been arrested after allegedly stealing a teenage woman’s mobile phone moments after predicting she would lose something valuable on New Year’s Day, police said.
The incident occurred at about 6:06 am on January 1st, 2026, opposite Wat Chaimongkol, a royal temple in South Pattaya, Chonburi province. Police from Pattaya City Police Station responded to a report of theft involving an iPhone 13 Pro worth about 20,000 baht ($580).
At the scene, rescue workers and bystanders had already detained the suspect, later identified as Udomsap Mueangkaew, 38, who works as a fortune teller. Officers recovered the stolen phone belonging to the victim, identified only as Pim, 19, hidden inside a brown shoulder bag used by the suspect. The phone had been concealed in a box for face masks.
According to Pim, the man had dressed and spoken like an elderly person and was sitting on a mat on the pavement opposite the temple, calling out to passers-by to use his fortune-telling services. Feeling sorry for him and wanting to do good on New Year’s Day, she agreed.
While reading her fortune using cards, the man allegedly told her she would soon face bad luck and lose a valuable possession, and suggested she pay extra money to ward it off. She declined, believing it unnecessary.
After the reading ended and she was about to return to her accommodation, Pim realised her mobile phone, which had been placed beside her during the session, was missing. The fortune teller continued to boast about the accuracy of his predictions and even described the appearance of the supposed thief.
Suspicious, Pim sought help from rescue workers and members of the public to check the man’s belongings, leading to the discovery of her phone in his bag. Police were then called.
Confronted with the evidence, Udomsap admitted to stealing the phone, telling officers it was his first offence and that he needed money for the New Year period. He apologised and asked the victim not to press charges, but Pim insisted on legal action to prevent him from targeting others.
Police have taken Udomsap into custody along with the recovered phone and fortune-telling equipment. Investigators are preparing charges as the case proceeds under Thai law.