The Metropolitan Police Division 6 chief revealed that a motorcycle gang targeted a tuk-tuk, snatching a bag from a Hong Kong tourist. The gang committed crimes in two areas and police are urgently pursuing the suspects. This has harmed the tourism image. Authorities have increased security by setting up checkpoints at all eight police stations, especially at night when crime risk is higher. They are also considering reinstating side nets on tuk-tuks to prevent such incidents.
Regarding the case where two suspects on motorcycles snatched a bag from a female Hong Kong tourist while she was in a tuk-tuk late at night, at 15:00 on 25 Feb 2026 at the Investigation Division, Metropolitan Police Division 6, Tri Phet Road, Wang Burapha Phirom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.
After the incident, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaikrit Pho-a, chief of Metropolitan Police Division 6, Pol. Col. Narit Pratthanaporn, deputy chief, Pol. Col. Cherdsak Rodkhem, head of the investigation division, Pol. Col. Sirichat Janpromma, chief of Pathumwan Police Station, and related investigators held a meeting to expedite the arrest of the suspects due to damage to tourism image. The meeting lasted about one hour. Previously, one suspect on a black Honda Click motorcycle without a license plate approached a tuk-tuk driven by Rattanapoom Kamphalak, 46, a hairdresser from Nakhon Sawan province, who was a passenger. The suspect snatched a 10-baht gold necklace and a 2521 BE (1978 CE) Luang Pu Kerd gold pendant from his neck, causing injury. The incident occurred at Mahanakhon intersection on Rama 6 Road, Rong Muang Subdistrict, Pathumwan District, Bangkok, on the night of 14 Feb.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaikrit Pho-a, chief of Metropolitan Police Division 6, revealed after the meeting that before the incident, Ms. Jang Gee Wing, 21, a Hong Kong tourist, hired a blue tuk-tuk with license plate Lok 485 Bangkok from Sampeng Market to return to the Grand Centre Point Ratchadamri hotel.
While the tuk-tuk was traveling on Rama 1 Road near the Pathumwan Institute of Technology, two male suspects on a motorcycle without a license plate approached on the right side. The passenger reached over and snatched the white shoulder bag from the victim, causing a struggle. The victim was injured on her left middle and ring fingers before the suspects sped away towards the Pathumwan intersection.
The stolen items included the shoulder bag, an iPhone X, a wallet, cash in Thai baht and Hong Kong dollars, a passport, and identification cards, valued at about 20,000 baht. The victim was scheduled to return to her country at 16:00 the same day.
Investigations found that before committing the crime in the Pathumwan Police Station area, the suspects committed a similar crime in the Lumpini Police Station area around midnight at Nana intersection on Sukhumvit Road between Soi 3 and Soi 4, then fled towards Phloen Chit. About 20 minutes later, they repeated the crime in the Pathumwan area. CCTV footage confirmed it was the same group.
After the incident, the suspects fled through Pathumwan intersection heading to Phlapphla Chai Police Station area, then slowed and circled within Metropolitan Police Divisions 5 and 6. Investigators at both the police station and Division 6 are currently pursuing the suspects, confirming they have detailed intelligence.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaikrit added that a similar incident occurred last week in the Pathumwan area involving a lone suspect who stole a gold necklace from a Thai tourist. He believes this is a different group due to differing behaviors.
For prevention, Metropolitan Police Division 6 has increased patrol checkpoints at all eight police stations, especially at night, which is a high-risk time for crime. They are also considering reintroducing side nets on tuk-tuks to prevent such incidents.
Police confirmed they will expedite the arrest of the suspects to restore confidence and safety for tourists and local residents in the area.