PATTAYA, THAILAND — A relaxing overnight stay turned into a nightmare for a holidaymaker after a brazen thief broke into her private pool villa in Huai Yai, stealing gold jewelry and cash — all captured on CCTV.
The victim, Thanyarat, 33, from Prachinburi province, had checked into the Yoo Dee Pool Villa on June 2 for what she hoped would be a peaceful getaway. But the tranquility was shattered when she woke the next morning to find several valuables missing.
Among the stolen items was her 1-baht-weight gold necklace, valued at approximately 50,000 baht, along with a designer handbag containing 1,000 baht in cash.
Caught on Camera
Thanyarat quickly alerted Huai Yai Police and worked with villa management to obtain CCTV footage of the break-in. The video shows a suspect clad in black, wearing a cap to conceal his face, loitering near other villas before targeting Thanyarat’s unit.
In a further twist, footage also captured the thief using what appeared to be a car remote to unlock Thanyarat’s parked vehicle. He rummaged through it and allegedly stole more valuables before fleeing the scene.
Police Investigation Underway
Thanyarat formally filed a report with Police Lieutenant Colonel Pacharuk Suriya, handing over all video evidence to assist in the ongoing investigation. While parts of the footage are grainy and do not clearly reveal the suspect’s identity, officers remain hopeful it could lead to an arrest.
Authorities are now urging both tourists and locals to double-check all locks, secure personal belongings, and remain vigilant when staying in private accommodations such as villas or Airbnb-style rentals.
This incident is the latest in a string of property crimes targeting travelers in Pattaya, a popular beachside city in Chonburi province. Police have increased patrols in the area and are working with local businesses to boost security.
