There has been a disturbing increase in gold necklace snatches over the Songkran period. It has been suggested that criminals have been looking to mug foreigners to buy whisky to lubricate their celebrations.
The latest victim was a Japanese businessman on holiday from his job in Bangkok. Mr. Seiji Matsuzaki aged 69, a Director of a company in Bangkok which manufactures Automotive Parts. Mr. Matsuzaki was walking from Tesco Lotus in North Pattaya to The Peace Resort also in North Pattaya late in the evening wearing a 5 Baht Gold necklace with Buddha amulets worth around 100,000 Baht when three Thai guys on two motorcycles drew up and one of the Thai guys snatched his necklace and then the gang rode off.
Police have images from CCTV cameras at the scene which give blurry images of the robbers and their Honda Wave motorcycle but unfortunately did not catch the actual snatching incident.
It is unsure whether their is only one gang operating this type of crime in Pattaya or many gangs. What is for sure is that 100,000 Baht will buy an awful lot of whisky.
