BANGKOK — Police Investigators spent nearly two weeks tracking down a tuk-tuk driver who didn’t give change to an American tourist and stole his bag containing valuables worth almost 50,000 baht. The perpetrator used a vehicle with fake license plates.
On September 11, investigators from Chakkrawat Police Station arrested Boonlert Jadsanam, 66 years old, and seized his tricycle as evidence in Soi Rama 6, Soi 21, Phetchaburi Road, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok. Mr. James, the American man, was brought in to identify the suspect.
The incident occurred on August 30, 2024, around 8:22 p.m. Mr. James reported to Chakkrawat Police Station that he had taken a yellow and blue tuk-tuk with an unknown license plate from Phaya Thai BTS station to Soi Mangkon, Chakkrawat Subdistrict, Samphanthawong District. They agreed on a fare of 500 baht. Upon reaching the destination, he paid with a 1,000 baht note, but the driver immediately fled without giving change.
Not only did Mr. James not receive his change, but he also didn’t have time to retrieve his bag from the vehicle. The bag contained various items, including his passport, $500, 9 pieces of jewelry worth 5,000 baht, an orange jacket worth 3,500 baht, Ray-Ban sunglasses worth 7,000 baht, a blue cap worth 1,000 baht, a black umbrella worth 200 baht, headphones worth 1,000 baht, a phone charger worth 500 baht, and a shoulder bag worth 7,000 baht.
The investigation team from Chakkrawat Police Station examined CCTV footage along the escape route, which was quite challenging due to the fake license plate. After the incident, the suspect drove around and stopped at several locations.
However, the investigation team persistently tracked him down until they identified Boonlert. They then gathered evidence and obtained an arrest warrant from the South Bangkok Criminal Court.
Later, the arrest team learned that the suspect was hiding in Soi Rama 6, Soi 21, Phetchaburi Road, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok. They went to investigate and staked out the area. At around 11:40 p.m., they spotted him in the middle of Soi Rama 6, Soi 21, showed the arrest warrant, and apprehended him along with the tuk-tuk used in the crime.
During initial questioning, he confessed and admitted to having committed similar acts several times before, targeting foreigners in areas like Nana, Pratunam, and Yaowarat because he needed money to buy drugs.
The officers then charged him with robbery, which carries a penalty of 2-7 years imprisonment and a fine of 40,000-100,000 baht, and theft at night using a vehicle to facilitate the crime or escape arrest, which carries a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.
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