Thai Airways passenger charged after HK$10,000 stolen from backpack
Victim stored HK$6,500 and 30,000 Philippine pesos in overhead compartment
A passenger aboard a flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong has been charged with violating the Aviation Security Ordinance after more than HK$10,000 (US$1,286) in cash was allegedly stolen from an overhead compartment, with the Post learning the carrier involved was Thai Airways.
The force said on Monday it received a report from an airline staff member that the money in the victim’s backpack – HK$6,500 and 30,000 Philippine pesos (US$523) stored above his seat during the flight – went missing during the flight.
A source said the passengers were travelling aboard Thai Airways flight 600 on Sunday, and the victim, 46, did not know the suspect.
“They were seated close to each other. After boarding, the victim placed two wallets containing cash in his backpack and stored it in the overhead compartment above his seat,” the insider said.
“While the victim was asleep, the victim’s niece, who was seated nearby, saw a man searching through her uncle’s belongings.”
After preliminary investigations, a 58-year-old Chinese man was arrested on suspicion of theft, and charged with one count of contravention of Aviation Security Ordinance.