CityNews – A thief who targeted Chinese tourists during last week’s Loy Krathong and Yi Peng celebrations was arrested on Monday, after around 20 visitors informed police that their wallets had been stolen.
Santi following his arrest. Photo: Weerasak Panyachod.
Santi Saelim, 42, was arrested at a hotel on Ratchadamnoen Road, while carrying a backpack and trying to walk away. Police asked to examine his bag and seized wallets containing a total of 12,000 baht and 700 yuan (3,750 baht), as well as credit cards and Chinese passports.
Santi, originally from Samut Prakarn province, admitted travelling from Bangkok with two friends to rob Chinese tourists. He claimed that his two friends, who avoided arrest, picked the victims’ pockets and gave the wallets to him. Police believe the other two suspects are no longer in Chiang Mai.