Pattaya, May 8 — A disabled Australian pensioner’s holiday turned into a nightmare when a seemingly friendly beach acquaintance allegedly robbed him blind in his hotel room early this morning. The 65-year-old victim, identified as Mr. Keith, was left stranded in his wheelchair shouting for help along Pattaya Beach after the brazen theft.

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The disturbing incident unfolded around 1:10 AM when Mr. Keith, who uses a wheelchair, struck up a conversation with a Thai woman on the famous Walking Street beach. What began as casual beachside chatter turned sinister when the woman accompanied him back to his Central Pattaya hotel room.

According to the shaken tourist’s police statement, the suspect vanished while he was showering – along with $350 in cash and 3,500 baht from his trousers. “I came out of the bathroom and she was gone, and so was my money,” the visibly distressed Australian told officers at Pattaya City Police Station.

In a dramatic twist, Mr. Keith later spotted the alleged thief still prowling the beachfront, though she had changed clothes in an apparent attempt to avoid recognition. Pattaya’s Civil Defense Volunteers sprang into action after hearing the wheelchair-bound victim’s cries for help.

“We found him near the shoreline, clearly agitated and pointing at a woman in the crowd,” said volunteer team leader Somchai Prasert. “He insisted she was the one who robbed him, though she’d swapped her outfit.”

Deputy Inspector Rattanathong Saenputtawong confirmed investigators are reviewing hotel surveillance footage and circulating the suspect’s description to local businesses. “This is particularly concerning given the victim’s vulnerable condition,” the officer noted. “We’re treating it with utmost urgency.”

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A 65-year-old Australian tourist has filed a police report in Pattaya after claiming he was robbed by a Thai woman he had invited back to his hotel room in the early hours of Wednesday.

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The brazen robbery highlights an ongoing issue in the resort city, where police report a 38% increase in tourist-targeted scams this high season. Authorities warn visitors to be wary of new acquaintances and always use hotel safes for valuables.

As of press time, the suspect remains at large while forensic teams examine evidence from the hotel room. The Australian Embassy has been notified and is providing consular assistance to the victim.

This latest incident follows the arrest last month of three suspects tied to an organized beach scam ring operating in the area. Police believe multiple groups may be preying on tourists, particularly solo travelers and vulnerable individuals.

Tourism operators expressed concern about the case’s potential impact. “These kinds of incidents give Pattaya a bad name,” said local hotelier Pimchanok Srisawat. “We urge authorities to crack down harder on these criminals.”

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Authorities are asking anyone with information about the suspect to contact Pattaya Police Station immediately. A reward may be offered for tips leading to an arrest.

-Thailand News (TN)