BANGKOK — Thai police arrest Iranian duo for multiple thefts in Bangkok business district; latest victim, a Chinese tourist, loses 10,000 baht within minutes
On September 17, Thonglor Police Station officers arrested Mr. Mohammad, 29, and Ms. Ali, 41, both Iranian nationals, in front of a condominium in Yanawa subdistrict, Sathorn district, Bangkok. They were suspected of stealing from a Chinese tourist.
Police investigation revealed that the pair approached Chinese tourists standing in front of a hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 20, pretending to be friendly. They engaged in conversation about currency exchange and asked to see the tourist’s cash. After returning the money, some was missing. The Chinese tourists later discovered that 10,000 baht had disappeared and filed a report at Thonglor Police Station.
Officials later found that the two suspects had committed a similar crime in the Asok intersection area, stealing money from another victim before fleeing.
After reviewing CCTV footage, officers traced the suspects’ escape route to the aforementioned condominium. They were arrested while preparing to flee back to their home country.
Initially, both suspects denied the allegations. However, based on the investigation and evidence showing their extensive history of similar crimes committed professionally, they were charged with theft and sent for prosecution.
According to the Criminal Code, Section 334: Whoever dishonestly takes away the property of another person or which another person is a co-owner commits theft and shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding 60,000 baht.
Additionally, both offenders will have this recorded on their criminal record, making it difficult for them to return to Thailand in the future.
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