PHUKET: Police arrested three men aged 23-30 for allegedly stealing from passengers' luggage at Phuket airport over a period of months.
The suspects were identified as Niroot Saksri, 29, Manote Nakpojit, 30, and Chakrit Janprasert, 23. They were employees of a company contracted to handle luggage at Phuket airport, which is operated by Airports of Thailand Plc.
Local police, tourist police and airport officials launched an investigation after an airline complained that personal belongings of several of its passengers had been lost since December.
Surveillance camera footage helped the officials identify the suspects, who were arrested on Friday and Saturday at their home in tambon Sakhu of Thalang district.
Police seized more than 100 items, including notebook computers, mobile phones, liquor, watches, sunglasses and ornaments.
Police said the three confessed that they either stole the valuables themselves or bought them from other people.
Marijuana and methamphetamine were also found.
