HUA HIN, Thailand – A Swiss man’s decades-spanning music collection, built across continents, has vanished, leaving behind millions in emotional and financial loss, with the very person hired to help now in handcuffs.
More than a thousand records gone without a trace
Peter Kalt was astounded. His meticulously assembled music collection, comprising over 1,000 vinyl records and 400 CDs, had disappeared from his home in the Hin Lek Fai district of Hua Hin. The Swiss national estimates the collection’s value at more than 12.5 million Baht. For Kalt, these items represent more than just sound media; they chronicle his life experiences from his time in Chicago and Switzerland before his move to Thailand. They are a reflection of distinct phases of his life.
The caregiver with money worries
The Swiss expat immediately suspected his Thai caregiver. This woman, assigned to him through a local care service, had reportedly asked him and his wife for money multiple times, citing financial difficulties. The suspect was identified by police as Ritsanisanaphat „Aoi“ Sasiphatninrat. She had been dismissed from her duties even before the full extent of the loss was realized.
Sales photos discovered on mobile phone
After Kalt filed a police report, the investigation initially stalled. He then turned to local media and online communities, and public attention helped increase pressure on the officers. The police eventually arrested the suspect for questioning. Analysis of her mobile phone revealed messages indicative of actual sales attempts. Furthermore, photos of the collection were found, clearly taken within Kalt’s home and sent to potential buyers.
Intermediary with alleged authorization
According to the police, the caregiver presented herself to potential buyers as an authorized intermediary, claiming the Swiss couple had granted her permission to sell the items. However, there is no evidence of authorization from the owners. The scheme has since unraveled, and the woman is now in police custody. The exact legal ramifications remain unclear, and no official charges have been announced.
Desperate search for the missing treasures
For the police, the work is just beginning. Officers are diligently working to identify the buyers of the valuable records, with the clear objective of recovering the stolen items and returning them to their rightful owner. Peter Kalt has issued an urgent appeal to the public: anyone who may have purchased records from this unique collection is urged to contact the authorities. This is the only way to facilitate their return.
Gripping investigation in Hua Hin
This case illustrates how quickly a relationship of trust can turn into a million-dollar fraud. What began as daily assistance for Peter Kalt ended with the loss of a collection that narrates his entire life. The level of public engagement in local networks has been immense. The suspect remains in custody while officers unravel the sales network. With each new clue, hope grows that at least a portion of the valuable vinyl treasures will find their way back to Kalt.