Patong’s nightlife is known for its neon glow, pulsing music and, occasionally, a little local mystery. This past Friday, August 16, that mystery took the shape of a cherry-red designer watch — and a Phuket restaurant owner is now asking the public for help identifying a group of foreigners who are accused of taking it.
The story was posted on the Phuket Times Facebook page on August 19, complete with CCTV stills and a close-up photo of the missing timepiece: a Vivienne Westwood “Time Machine” watch in a distinctive cherry-red. The restaurant owner wrote that a bag containing the watch was left on the bar counter in the outdoor seating area while staff were working, and that one person from a group of five later picked it up.
In the CCTV screenshots shared by the owner, five foreigners — four men and one woman — can be seen playing pool in the restaurant’s open-air space. The images show the group laughing and enjoying themselves, but the owner alleges the watch vanished while the bag sat unattended on the counter. “A foreign gang in Patong stole this watch from our restaurant,” the post reads, adding a plea: “Please spread a warning to the community.”
Netizens were quick to weigh in. A Thai commenter estimated the watch’s retail value at between 8,000 and 11,000 baht, though the restaurant owner did not confirm that valuation or clarify whether the watch belonged to a customer or a staff member. And while the post included CCTV stills, several readers urged the restaurant to release clearer footage showing the moment the watch changed hands so the community could verify the claim.
As of the latest update, the restaurant had not responded to requests for additional footage or to clarify whether a formal police complaint had been registered. That lack of follow-up left some readers feeling impatient and others thinking twice before rushing to judgment — a reminder that CCTV screenshots can tell part of a story, but they don’t always reveal motivations, context or intent.
Not far from Patong, in Thalang district, another unsettling incident added fuel to the conversation about petty crime and safety in Phuket. A Thai woman reported that a foreign man allegedly stole her mobile phone and attempted to take her car — and that the same individual had tried to steal a motorbike from another local victim. Police from Choeng Thale Police Station reportedly arrested and detained the suspect, but public details about any charges or outcomes remained sparse.
The Thalang victim said she feared the man might be released without charge and could return to commit new offenses — an anxiety shared by many locals who see incidents like these as part of a broader, ongoing concern about tourist-related crime. Police procedures, due process and diplomatic considerations can make these cases complicated, and that complexity often leaves ordinary residents worrying about both justice and personal safety.
After both stories circulated online, comments ranged from pragmatic to outraged. Some users called for greater transparency — more CCTV footage, clearer images, and timely updates from the restaurant and police. Others recommended simple prevention tips: keep personal items close, don’t leave bags unattended on counters, and make use of hotel safes for valuables when possible.
Practical advice is useful, but it’s worth keeping perspective. Patong remains a vibrant tourism hub where thousands of visitors and locals interact every day without incident. Still, these episodes highlight an unmistakable truth for anyone traveling or working in busy tourist districts: a moment’s inattention can be costly.
For now, the restaurant’s post acts as both a public appeal and a cautionary tale. If you recognize the people in the CCTV images or have any information about the cherry-red Vivienne Westwood watch, the owner asks that you share what you know. Whether you’re a local, a frequent visitor to Patong or just someone who likes to keep tabs on island affairs, a quick tip could help recover a sentimental or valuable item — and possibly prevent an unfortunate pattern from continuing.
We’ll continue to follow developments in both the Patong watch case and the Thalang arrest. In the meantime: keep an eye on your belongings, be cautious when socializing in crowded venues, and if you see something suspicious, report it to local authorities. A little vigilance can go a long way in keeping Phuket’s streets and restaurants safe and welcoming for everyone.
We posted the CCTV to ask for help — the cherry-red Vivienne Westwood watch went missing from our bar on August 16. If anyone recognizes these people please message us directly so we can resolve this, sentimental items matter to customers and staff.
Did you file a police report or just post on Facebook? Screenshots alone don’t catch thieves, police paperwork matters if you want action.
As a local, I worry this becomes a smear campaign if there’s no clear footage, but I also lock my bag now after seeing this. Please tell us if the owner was a customer or a staff member.
Foreign gangs in tourist spots are getting bolder every year, someone needs to start checking IDs at bars. If police are slow, community pressure is the only thing that works.
Public appeals are understandable, but they risk misidentification. Legal process and police involvement protect both the accuser and the accused, and I hope the owner coordinates with authorities.
We did speak to Choeng Thale police and they advised collecting tips first — we will update when there is a formal statement, and we appreciate calm, useful leads.
Those CCTV stills are grainy; I can’t see any obvious theft in the shots provided. Posting partial evidence publicly can ruin lives if context is missing.
I disagree, Alex — the group looks coordinated and one person clearly picks up something from the counter. Sometimes social pressure helps recover stolen goods quickly.
Nina raises a point: social pressure can be effective but we must avoid vigilantism. If someone recognizes them, pass info to police first so it’s handled legally.
I agree police first, but the owner should release clearer footage before accusing a specific group in public to avoid defamation claims.
Every tourist season more of these petty crimes happen, it isn’t fair to locals. Patrols and ID checks at hotspots would cut this down dramatically.
ID checks at bars are discriminatory and would hurt the tourism economy; prevention education and staff training are better solutions. Blaming tourists as a group is simplistic and dangerous.
I’m not blaming all tourists, but patterns exist and policy should adapt; a few bad actors ruin it for everyone and cost real people their valuables.
As a frequent visitor, I hate seeing tourists painted as criminals. Strengthening police capacity, not profiling, is the way forward.
Diplomatic considerations complicate matters when suspects are foreign nationals. Cooperation between local police and embassies is crucial, but transparency from the restaurant would help investigators.
This whole thing reads like clickbait because there’s no follow-up. If you want help, give the public something stronger than blurry photos.
I left a nice watch on a bar counter once and woke up to find it gone too, so I feel for the owner. Still, shaming people online without proof leaves a bad taste for everyone.
A few practical tips: never leave money or watches unattended, use hotel safes, and ask staff to watch items if you need to step away for a minute. Prevention saved me twice in Southeast Asia.
Good advice, Joe, but not everyone can afford to lock valuables away at their hotel if they’re staying on the cheap. Community vigilance matters too.
I think blaming victims for leaving items unattended is unhelpful; theft is not the victim’s fault. We should support better staff training and accountability.
Chris is right, prevention helps but responsibility also lies with venues to secure guest belongings and report incidents promptly.
I’m not blaming victims — I’m offering steps that helped me avoid problems; venue responsibility and guest caution both need to improve.
The Thalang arrest mentioned in the article worries me, because sometimes foreigners get released quickly due to diplomatic pressure. We need clearer updates from police.
Police might be constrained by evidence and international law, Kanchana. Pushing for transparency is okay but remember due process exists for a reason.
Due process is important, Mark, but communities living with repeat incidents need faster clarity and communication so people can feel safe.
Tourism drives the economy here; sensational posts about ‘foreign gangs’ can harm businesses and stir xenophobia. Let’s be careful with language and demand facts.
Agreed, Lisa — residents deserve safety and tourists deserve not to be stereotyped. Balanced reporting and clear evidence are both essential.
Saying ‘xenophobia’ when locals are scared of repeat offenders is dismissive. People aren’t anti-tourist, they’re anti-crime.
I’m pro-safety, grower134, but solutions should avoid collective blame. Strengthen law enforcement, not public shaming.
It’s easy to anger-signal online, but what matters is whether the watch gets returned. I hope someone recognizes it and contacts the owner.
I checked local resale pages and haven’t seen that exact model listed, maybe it was taken home or sold abroad quickly. Keep an eye on secondhand platforms and customs reports.