Pickpockets Arrested During Songkran

BANGKOK, April 17 (TNA) - The Tourism Police arrested a gang of Vietnamese and Cambodian pickpockets that preyed on tourists at popular Songkran festival venues in Bangkok. Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachet Hakpharn, the deputy superintendent of the Tourist Police said that they have successfully apprehended two Vietnamese men and a Cambodian woman for stealing valuables of festival goers at the popular Songkran tourist venues on Khao San and Pratunam area. The gang operated by using sharp paper cutters to clandestinely slash purses and handbags to lift valuables inside. Seized items include monies of various currencies and 25 mobile phones. The deputy superintendent revealed that the arrest was accomplished after one alert victim became aware that she was being attacked and called out to her boyfriend and bystanders for help. One of the pickpockets was managed to be overpowered and was handed over to the Chana Songkram Police Station. Following an interrogation police raided a room in Samrong district in Samut Prakarn province just outside of Bangkok and later arrested the rest of the gang members. The suspects have been charged with theft and illegal entry. (TNA)