CHONBURI — Police have arrested a 23-year-old Thai man for allegedly slashing a Russian tourist with a knife in an attempt to rob her in the resort town of Pattaya last night.
The Russian tourist, 22, told police she was walking down Soi 5 in Nong Prue subdistrict at around 11 pm last night with her boyfriend when a man parked his motorcycle next to her and attempted to grab her purse.
When the she refused to let go of her bag, the Thai man reportedly attacked her with a knife before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.
The woman suffered knife wounds on her right hand, Pol.Col. Suphathee.
Police later received reports that a group of bystanders managed to detain the mugger 500 metres away from the crime scene. Pol.Col. Suphathee said officers found a knife on the man, identified as Manat Khemthong, 23, and that he confessed to committing the crime.
"The victim also confirmed to us that Manat is the perpetrator," Pol.Col. Suphathee said.
According to Pol.Col. Suphathee, Manat used to work as a staff in a karaoke bar in South Pattaya, but the bar closed down recently, leaving him without income. The suspect reportedly told police he drove around the area to look for potential victims and found the Russian woman, but that she refused to give up her purse.
Pattaya is known for its seedy nightlife and high rate of crimes against foreigners.
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