PATONG, PHUKET – Phuket police have apprehended a Vietnamese man in connection with a burglary at a private pool villa from which a substantial amount of cash was stolen from a Hong Kong tourist. The arrest of 40-year-old H. Van Chay took place at a guesthouse in the Patong area, following an investigation that led officers to a motorcycle captured on security footage near the scene of the crime.

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The incident was reported to have occurred in the early hours of October 26th at a residence within the Premsap housing estate in Kathu District. The victim, a 33-year-old Hong Kong national identified only as Mr. Po, stated that a total of HK$5,000 and 25,000 baht in cash was taken from a bag left in his living room. The theft was discovered after the villa manager, 34-year-old Pilawan Tathep, reviewed closed-circuit television footage which showed an unidentified man entering the property around 2:00 AM and removing the money.

Investigators traced the suspect’s vehicle, a red-and-black Honda PCX160 motorcycle, to the Madame House building on Phra Metta Road. The guesthouse owner there confirmed the motorcycle belonged to a Vietnamese tenant with distinctive tattoos on both arms. Upon his arrest and subsequent questioning, Chay reportedly admitted to the burglary after being confronted with the incriminating video evidence.

Police in Phuket have arrested a Vietnamese man accused of stealing cash from a Hong Kong tourist’s luxury villa in the Patong resort. #patong #phuket #burglary #thailand https://t.co/d3SiVMJh62

— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) October 31, 2025

According to Pol. Col. Chalermchai Hernsawat, superintendent of the Patong Police Station, the arrest was made five days after the crime through a coordinated investigation that relied heavily on the analysis of CCTV footage. Police have since impounded the motorcycle and the clothing the suspect was allegedly wearing during the theft as key evidence for the prosecution.

Chay now faces a formal charge of nighttime theft, an offense that carries a potential prison sentence of one to five years and a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 baht. He is currently detained as authorities proceed with legal action. It has not yet been confirmed whether any of the stolen currency has been recovered.

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This case underscores the continued reliance on surveillance technology by Phuket police to track and apprehend criminal suspects who target the island’s international visitors. Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing to determine if the suspect may be involved in other property crimes in the popular tourist region.

-Thailand News (TN)