A Norwegian man and his Thai fiancée, who lost their savings to pickpockets in Bangkok, have turned to social media in an attempt to warn others and, perhaps, catch the perpetrators.
Frustrated by the alleged inaction of the police, 31 year old “Dennis” and his fiancée, “Ms A”, filed a complaint with Ekkapop Ruangprasert, who runs the “Saimai Must Survive” Facebook group. The group uses social media to pressure the authorities into taking action.
The couple says 30,000 baht in cash, which they had saved for their wedding, was stolen from them by a gang of thieves in the capital on Sunday, March 24.
According to Ms A, she was waiting for a bus with her partner outside the Big C department store at Central World. The couple had been on a shopping trip to purchase rings and outfits for their April 12 wedding.
A group of 4 people, one man, two women, and a ladyboy, then arrived at the bus stop and Ms A says one of them pressed up against her. She boarded the bus a minute later and when she went to pay, released her wallet was gone.
Other items stolen include iPhone 14 phone, 30,000 baht in cash, 200 Norwegian kroner in cash, two credit cards, one debit card, and a Norwegian lottery ticket.
The couple immediately went to Lumpini Police Station to file a complaint, during which they say an officer told them to provide proof in the form of CCTV footage. According to a Khaosod English report, when the couple reported the incident, an officer told them, “This could be karma for something you did 100 years ago.”
The couple say they had to go to the Big C department store themselves and ask to see the CCTV footage, which clearly identified all 4 alleged thieves. It’s understood the footage shows the group following the couple from the moment they entered the shopping centre.
The couple says they don’t expect to have their belongings returned but would like police to act faster in apprehending and punishing the suspects.
Meanwhile, Ekaphob, founder of the Facebook group, says he will liaise with the chief of Lumpini Police Station to help find the alleged pickpockets and bring them to justice.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
