PATTAYA, THAILAND – Four Thai suspects allegedly tried to snatch a gold chain and amulet worth nearly 100,000 baht from an Indian tourist in Pattaya before hotel security and witnesses stopped their escape.
Attack outside hotel prompts evening police response
Police from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station were called on 10 March at around 9:20 p.m. to a suspected robbery in front of a hotel on Pattaya Sai Song Road. At the scene, officers met Sadesh Sangte, a 54-year-old Indian national, who was visibly shaken after the incident, according to police.
During the struggle, the man’s gold chain was damaged and partially torn. Through an interpreter, the tourist stated that the chain had cost between 70,000 and 80,000 baht, and that together with the amulet the total value was close to 100,000 baht.
Four Thai nationals identified as suspects
According to investigators, two women, a trans woman and a motorcycle food delivery rider, all believed to be Thai nationals, were detained at the scene. Police later identified them as Rattanaphon Jamroen (35), Nipaporn Talab-ngern (31), Atcharawut Manokhan (21) and Chaimongkhon Khaophon (31).
Officers treated the group as suspects in a possible joint attempt to steal the jewellery. All four were taken in for further questioning at the police station.
Massage offer, drinking and a dispute over payment
The tourist told officers that the three individuals – the two women and the trans woman – had approached him and offered a massage. He then took them to his hotel room, where the massage later turned into a private drinking session involving alcohol.
According to his account, a dispute over payment broke out after the massage. He said that during the argument Nipaporn grabbed the chain and amulet from his neck and passed them on to Atcharawut.
Attempted escape through lobby blocked by security
Atcharawut then allegedly ran towards the hotel lobby while Rattanaphon and Nipaporn held the man back to prevent him from giving chase. The tourist said he managed to break free and ran after the suspect.
He told police he caught up with Atcharawut shortly before an attempted escape on the motorcycle of delivery rider Chaimongkhon. At that point, he received assistance from hotel security staff and witnesses who were present in the lobby area.
Chain found in motorcycle compartment, but suspects deny plot
Although all four rejected the accusations and insisted there had been no plan to commit theft, officers later found the chain in the storage compartment of the motorcycle, according to police. The discovery raised further suspicion of coordinated action among the suspects.
The delivery rider told investigators he knew the two women only because they had previously asked him to buy condoms, but that he was not close to them and had nothing to do with the incident. He maintained that he had no prior knowledge of any alleged theft.
Police suspect coordinated action, charges still pending
Despite the denials, police said that based on their initial findings they believed the four may have acted together. Officers announced that a detailed investigation would be conducted before specific charges were filed against any of the individuals.
The case highlighted how quickly private arrangements mixed with alcohol and disputes could turn into a criminal matter in busy tourist areas. It also underlined the role of vigilant hotel security and bystanders in stopping suspected offences.
“The case shows how quickly in tourist hotspots private deals, alcohol and arguments can turn into a criminal offence and how important attentive hotel security and witnesses are.”
said unnamed commentators, reflecting on the incident.