Tourist couple seen on CCTV 'stealing cash from reception counter'

This is the shocking moment when a tourist couple allegedly stole cash from the restaurant's reception counter in Thailand.

The pair were settling their lunch bill when they spotted unattended cash tucked into a bill holder at the Irish Times Pub on the holiday island of Phuket on February 22.

While the staff were busy counting change, the girlfriend appeared to pluck a banknote and slip it into her boyfriend's hand.

CCTV footage shows the manbun-wearing customer then allegedly stuffing the money into his bag before they casually walked out of the restaurant.

Employees later discovered the alleged theft, but the couple had already left.

Restaurant manager, Sarah, said: ‘We are not entirely certain where they were from. I asked my staff, and they believe the couple may have been from the Middle East.

‘They were well dressed and appeared confident. There was also a similar post shared on another platform about a different venue, and the couple in that post looked very similar.

‘Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate it again, so I cannot confirm whether it was the same people.

‘The amount of money involved was not significant. What concerned us was the way it was done — and the pattern we have been seeing over the past year.

‘In previous years, we never experienced incidents like this. Recently, however, we have had four walk-outs, along with several other difficult situations.

‘At some point, it becomes less about the money and more about drawing attention to the behaviour.

‘The reason for posting was to make others aware of what is happening and the kind of conduct we are currently dealing with.'

The suspected theft is the latest of tourists stealing from businesses in Thailand.

A day earlier, a male tourist was caught on CCTV allegedly shoplifting deodorant from a convenience store in Chiang Mai province.

While on February 11, Italian engineer Daniele Palmieri, 52, reportedly stole a golden lion from a pub in Chiang Mai province.

Police tracked him down to a hotel in Mae Hong Son province on February 17, where he was arrested on suspicion of nighttime theft.

He claimed he was drunk as he apologised to the restaurant owner and returned the 2,000-baht decoration.

Last month, German and Austrian tourists were arrested for stealing shoes from a spa in Phuket.

Laszlo Ruben Eschenlohr, 24, Pia Laura Legler, 23, and Florian Bardosch, 33, were caught on CCTV allegedly taking the footwear from the shop entrance on January 20.

Officers detained Pia and Florian on January 22, following a two-day search on the island. Their arrest came a day after Laszlo was caught while apologising to the spa owner on January 21.

The trio allegedly admitted to stealing the slippers.

The once-pristine island of Phuket has been marred by over-tourism as the Thai government implements a visa-free scheme to boost revenue following the barren pandemic years.

It has become one of Asia's most popular destinations, with an estimated 14 million visitors in 2025 - almost half of the total number visiting the country.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said the top five markets were Russia, China, India, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

However, angry locals claim the push for tourist dollars has attracted crowds of 'low-quality' visitors. There are also fears that the island has become an enclave of criminal activity, with police unable to control street fights and more organised ruffians setting up rackets among local businesses.

Phuket officials said they are implementing tighter immigration controls and screening processes amid a wave of drug-related crimes and illegal activities on the island.