PATTAYA, Thailand – Police in Pattaya are searching for a suspect after CCTV footage captured a man stealing underwear from a rental property in the Khao Mai Kaew area of Banglamung district. The incident, reported on December 21, has raised concerns among residents, who fear repeated thefts in the neighbourhood.
The case was reported at around 8:30 p.m. by a 35-year-old perfume vendor who lives in one of the rental rooms behind a petrol station in the area. The victim told police that his underwear, along with that of his partner, was stolen from a clothes-drying rack placed outside their room.
According to CCTV footage reviewed by the victims, the theft occurred earlier that morning at approximately 4:45 a.m. The video shows a slim-built man arriving at the property on a white Honda MSX motorcycle. He parked the vehicle in front of the rental rooms before walking toward the rear of the building, where residents typically hang their laundry.
The suspect was seen lifting an entire stainless-steel clothes-drying rack that held more than 10 items of underwear. The footage shows him handling the clothing, removing the items from the rack, and concealing them inside his jacket. After taking the items, he returned to his motorcycle and fled the scene, riding away along Highway 331.
The victim said the theft has left him and his partner feeling uneasy, particularly because this was not the first incident at the property. He noted that a stainless-steel barbecue grill had previously gone missing from the same location and believes the same individual could be responsible for multiple thefts in the area.
Residents in Khao Mai Kaew have expressed growing concern about security, especially during late-night and early-morning hours when such incidents appear to occur. Many rental properties in the area are located near main roads but lack security guards or surveillance beyond basic CCTV systems.
Local police have advised residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect their belongings. This includes avoiding leaving personal items unattended outdoors, installing additional lighting, and ensuring CCTV cameras are functioning properly. Police also encouraged residents to report suspicious activity immediately.
The victim is currently gathering CCTV footage and preparing to file a formal complaint with the police. He hopes that clear video evidence of the suspect and the motorcycle will help authorities identify the individual and prevent further incidents in the neighbourhood.
Police in Pattaya said they will review the footage once the complaint is filed and will increase patrols in the area if necessary. Authorities have reminded the public that even seemingly minor thefts should be reported, as they may be linked to a pattern of criminal behaviour affecting the wider community.
