Pattaya police have arrested a man accused of feigning injury by faking a fall off a motorcycle to steal a foreign tourist's purse.
Two Russian tourists watch detained Sakda Banasarn, one of the four men who tried to steal their valuables in Pattaya. (Post Today Photo)
Police received a report of the robbery in South Pattaya on Tuesday night.
On arrival they found two Russians restraining a 26-year-old man later named as Sakda Banasarn.
Viktovi Maximova, 24, told investigators that she was walking with her boyfriend along Pattaya beach when a group of four men on two motorcycles approached them.
The men drew their attention by simulating an accident and pretending that they were hurt.
One of them then snatched her purse while she was distracted. He stole 2,000 baht from the purse and then threw it away.
Her friend chase the fleeing thieves and was able to grab hold of one of them. The three others escaped on their motorcyles.
Police said Sakda, the suspect, had a criminal record of robbery and narcotics.
Police believed the gang had committed similar crimes in the past. They were tracking down the other three suspects still on the run.