Three members of a bag-snatching gang preying on tourists in the popular seaside resorts of Hua Hin, in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and nearby Cha-am, in Phetchaburi, have been arrested.
The suspects -- Krisana Khong-on, 19, his girlfriend Supalak Kanthapan, 26, and a 14-year-old boy -- were presented to a police press conference at Hua Hin police station on Thursday.
Police said they had seized many stolen items from them, including four mobile phones, shoulder bags, handbags, cameras, passports and cash. Two motorcycles that were seized were used in the crime spree, according to police.
Pol Col Chaiyakorn Srilardecho, chief of Hua Hin police station, said the arrests followed complaints that young thieves riding on motorcycles had snatched bags from foreign tourists walking in the towns. The gang mostly targeted women.
Police investigating the complaints came across three young people with red hair travelling on a motorcycle in Hua Hin late on Wednesday night. Police asked for a search. The suspects refused and fled, but they were apprehended shortly after, Pol Col Chaiyakorn said.
The trio confessed they had snatched bags from foreign tourists in Hua Hin at least five times during the Songkran festival, and had committed similar thefts in neighbouring Cha-am, according to police.
Foreigners showed up at Hua Hin police station on Thursday to identify the suspects.