Caught on CCTV — Surveillance footage shows the woman stealing the phone, now used as evidence in the investigation. PATTAYA, Thailand – As nightlife returns to Pattaya’s bar-lined streets, police are urging tourists to be extra cautious with personal belongings like mobile phones and wallets — especially when seated at open-air bars or massage shops where items are left on counters. This warning follows a recent incident on Soi Chaiyapoon, where a middle-aged Thai woman posing as a street vendor stole a mobile phone just after midnight on June 29. The victim, Ms. Woraporn, 43, a massage shop employee, said the woman entered pretending to sell clothes and skin cream. While engaging staff in conversation, the thief slipped a blue Tecno phone worth about 5,000 baht into her bag and walked away unnoticed. Ms. Woraporn tried to retrieve the phone and offered not to involve police, but the suspect refused a search and fled. CCTV footage captured the theft clearly, and Pattaya City Police are investigating. This case highlights a broader issue: many open-front bars and massage parlors allow easy walk-up access, making phones, wallets, and bags left on counters — especially near sidewalks — vulnerable to quick thefts. Bar owners and locals caution visitors not to assume street-facing bars are secure. “One second of distraction is all it takes,” said a Soi Buakhao bar owner. “We see it often — someone walks by, snatches a phone, and disappears into the night.” Authorities advise keeping valuables in front pockets or anti-theft bags and never leaving items unattended or visible near the edge of counters. As Pattaya welcomes tourists back, officials say simple street-smart precautions can help keep the holiday spirit intact.