Thieves use drones to spy on tourists on Thai 'White Lotus' island
Tourists on a Thai island whose 'Full Moon Parties' gained global fame with the most recent season of the hit series White Lotus have become victims of elaborate burglary plots aided by drones, according to local media.
Burglars on the island of Koh Phangan have regularly been spying on tourists with drones to check on their location before breaking into their holiday accommodations.
The tourist police have now arrested four suspected perpetrators, the newspaper Bangkok Post reported recently, citing authorities. The suspects, aged between 25 and 30, were said to be from the neighbouring country of Myanmar.
The men reportedly used their drones to monitor various houses and apartments rented to tourists, quickly breaking in once they suspected an easy target. The number of such cases had increased in recent weeks, leading to complaints.
The group admitted to spending the stolen money on drugs. Officers reportedly seized more than 60 methamphetamine pills from them.
Koh Phangan, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is one of the kingdom's most popular islands. It attracts young people from all over the world, especially to the Full Moon Parties at Haad Rin Beach.
Yoga enthusiasts, on the other hand, are drawn to the island's numerous retreats and spas.
The satirical drama White Lotus boosted local tourism with a third season in February that took viewers to a fictional high-end holiday resort in Thailand, with some scenes reported to have been shot on Koh Phangan. – dpa
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