Phuket –
Police in Phuket have arrested a 25-year-old German tourist accused of stealing cash and personal items from a local spa, in a case that has drawn attention to law enforcement’s swift response to crimes involving foreign visitors.
The Phuket City Police told the Phuket Express that the incident began on January 20th, when staff at a massage spa on Ranong Road in Phuket Town reported that money had gone missing from a drawer at the cashier’s counter. Surveillance footage revealed that a foreign customer, later identified only as Mr. Laszlo, had opened the drawer and taken 2,000 baht while the cashier was away. The spa’s employees then filed a complaint with police.
On January 21st at around 7:00 p.m., a joint investigation team comprising officers from Phuket City Police, the Tourist Police, and Immigration Police executed an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court. Mr. Laszlo was detained at the same spa where the theft occurred. Police also seized two pairs of stolen sandals, allegedly taken by one of his companions.
During questioning, the suspect admitted to stealing the cash, claiming he acted out of “reckless excitement.” He reportedly broke down in tears and expressed remorse, apologizing to the spa owner for his actions. He also acknowledged that his friends were allegedly involved in stealing the sandals, and authorities confirmed that further investigations are underway to locate the other suspects.
