Police in Bangkok have arrested a tuk-tuk driver who failed to give change to his American tourist, then sped off with the passenger’s belongings still in the vehicle.
Officers from Chakkrawat Police Station spent 2 weeks trying to track down the suspect, as it turns out he was using fake licence plates on his tuk-tuk. They finally caught up with and arrested 66 year old Boonlert Jadsanam yesterday, September 11. The tuk-tuk driver was detained on Phetchaburi Road, in the Ratchathewi district of the capital.
His victim has been named only as “Mr James”, who told police that on August 30, he had taken a tuk-tuk from Phaya Thai BTS station to an address in the Samphanthawong district. Before setting off, he had agreed a fare of 500 baht with the driver.
When he arrived at his destination, he handed over 1,000 baht and it is at this point that the driver sped off without giving any change – and with the American’s bag still in the tuk-tuk. Khaosod English reports the bag contained valuables worth nearly 50,000 baht.
The items included US$500 in cash, 9 pieces of jewellery worth a total of 5,000 baht, the American’s passport, a jacket worth 3,500 baht, Ray Ban sunglasses worth 7,000 baht, a cap worth 1,000 baht, headphones worth 1,000 baht, and a shoulder bag worth 7,000 baht.
Under police questioning, Boonlert confessed to the robbery and admitted he’d carried out similar crimes a number of times before. The driver says he would target foreigners in popular tourist areas such as Nana, Pratunam, and Yaowarat. His explanation was that he needed the money to buy drugs.
He has been charged with robbery and faces between 2 and 7 years in prison and/or a fine of between 40,000 and 100,000 baht. He has also been charged with theft at night, using a vehicle to facilitate the crime or escape arrest. That charge carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
