Tourist fights thief in Pattaya

CHON BURI - A Russian tourist sustained hand injuries after a man on a motorbike attempted to snatch her purse on Friday night, police said.

Pol Col Suppatee Boonkrong, deputy commander of Chon Buri Provincial Police, said Behpa Venera Khasianova, 22, and her Russian boyfriend was leaving their hotel to take a stroll on Walking Street in South Pattaya. 

As the couple walked out of the hotel, the motorcyclist approached them, took out a knife and tried to take away the woman's purse.

The woman fought back but the motorcyclist assaulted her with the knife and rode off. 

Pol Col Suppatee said the suspect was later caught by a good samaritan about 500 metres from the scene.

The suspect was Manat Khemtong, a 23-year-old Nakhon Sawan native.

Mr Manat confessed to police that he was an employee at a karaoke bar which recently went out of business in South Pattaya, and said he decided to steal because he had no money.

Behpa Venera Khasianova sustains hand injuries following a fight with a former karaoke bar employee in Pattaya. (Post Today photo)