Pickpocket Gang Caught on CCTV Stealing From Foreign Woman in Bangkok
A pickpocket gang targeting foreign tourists has been caught on CCTV after stealing valuables from a woman walking near Bangkok’s Chinatown. The incident occurred along Songwat Road, a popular area frequented by tourists and locals alike, and has sparked renewed warnings about street crime in busy parts of the capital.
The incident came to light after a Thai man, Chanatib Bunpasoet-chn, shared CCTV footage of the theft on his Facebook account on December 15. According to his post, the foreign tourist approached a nearby restaurant to request access to security camera footage after suspecting she had been pickpocketed. Upon reviewing the footage, her concerns were confirmed.
The CCTV video shows three female suspects working together in a coordinated manner. All three women attempted to conceal their identities by wearing hats and face masks, while also carrying umbrellas. The umbrellas were strategically used to block the view of passersby and nearby cameras, allowing the suspects to carry out the theft discreetly.
In the footage, one suspect wearing a brown T-shirt can be seen walking closely behind the victim. She reaches into the foreign woman’s tote bag and removes valuables without immediately being noticed. The stolen items were then quickly handed to an accomplice wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt, highlighting the organised nature of the crime.
The same suspect appeared to attempt a second theft by placing her hand into the victim’s bag again. At that moment, the foreign woman seemed to sense something was wrong and tried to move away from the group. Realising they might have been detected, the three suspects calmly walked away from the scene as if nothing had happened. Around the same time, the victim left the area by taxi.
It was only later that the woman realised her belongings were missing. She returned to the area and requested CCTV footage from outside the restaurant, which clearly showed the pickpocketing incident. Chanatib did not reveal the value of the stolen items, nor did he confirm whether the victim had officially reported the incident to police. However, he urged members of the public to stay vigilant and immediately contact authorities if they recognise the suspects shown in the video.
The incident coincides with another recent pickpocketing case in Bangkok. Police arrested two Vietnamese nationals in the Din Daeng district following a tip-off from a security guard at Wat Pho, who noticed suspicious behaviour. After reviewing CCTV footage, officers identified the suspects as individuals previously arrested for pickpocketing last year. They were later tracked down and arrested at a rented house.
These incidents serve as a reminder for tourists and residents to remain cautious in crowded areas, keep personal belongings secure, and report suspicious activity promptly to help prevent similar crimes.
