A 38-year-old woman who reportedly boarded a plane to steal in Bangkok after researching for targeted events online has been arrested at a graduation ceremony.
Parichart Sa-ard-iem, of Songkhla’s Muang district, was apprehended at the compound of Chulalongkorn Univerity’s Faculty of Science shortly after stealing, Pol Col Jarut Sarutyaporn, chief of Pathumwan police station said on Friday night.
Seized from the woman was a stolen handbag containing an iPhone and some 2,500 baht in cash.
The suspect confessed to having stolen the bag from a female university student. She told police she was jobless and this drove her to steal to finance her personal expenses. She had stolen at least 10 times, Thai media reported on Saturday.
The Pathumwan police chief said the woman had searched information online about major events and learned that Chulalongkorn University would hold a graduation ceremony during Oct 8-9.
She then boarded a plane from Songkhla to Don Mueang airport before checking in at a budget hotel near Hua Lamphong railway station. She had planned to take a flight back to her home province after stealing money at the graduation event, but was caught, said Pol Col Jarut.
A criminal record showed Ms Parichart had been held responsible for a series of thefts in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Songkhla's Hat Yai district, said police.