Seven youths arrested over robbery of Japanese tourist in Bangkok

BANGKOK — On August 13, 2026, police arrested seven youths aged between 13 and 17 in connection with the assault and robbery of a Japanese tourist near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station. Police claimed the youths admitted to approaching people for money on multiple occasions before allegedly assaulting the tourist after he refused to hand over his belongings.

The incident occurred late on August 12 after the Japanese tourist got lost while searching for the entrance to Makkasan Airport Rail Link station and wandered into an overgrown area nearby. According to the tourist, he encountered a group of six youths on two motorcycles, with three people on each vehicle, and was repeatedly told to give them money.

The tourist refused, and the group allegedly restrained him, striking him three times on the back of the head with a rock and punching him once in the mouth. The tourist managed to escape towards the entrance of Soi Asoke-Din Daeng 30, leaving his backpack behind. On August 13, Deputy Commander Pol Col Sakya Saengwan of Metropolitan Police Division 1, along with investigators from Makkasan and Din Daeng police stations, arrested the seven youths.

They were found at flats near Din Daeng Police Station in Bangkok's Din Daeng district. During questioning, the youths admitted to punching the tourist but denied using any weapons. Police stated that some of the youths were carrying knives, which the minors claimed they did not use during the attack. The youths reportedly took 1,400 baht from the tourist and divided the money equally among themselves, receiving 200 baht each.

They claimed they had spent the money already. Police said the youths admitted to frequently approaching people for money in the past without any issues, but the tourist refused to give them money, leading to the assault. A multidisciplinary team joined the questioning of the minors on August 14 before investigators decided on further legal action.