Pattaya police chief Col Apichai Krobphet said Phetlada Angkranon, 43, was charged with stealing cash and valuables from Huang Siqing, 28.
Apichai said Phetlada was arrested on Wednesday night shortly after the Chinese man filed a complaint with a police patrol on Pattaya’s Walking Street.
The officer said he had been drinking in a pub on Walking Street when Phetlada, who was sitting on the next table, came to talk to him. He said he went to use the toilet and the woman took his shoulder bag with Bt2,980 in cash, a bank book, four bank cards, a mobile phone and passport.
Phetlada was arrested not far from the pub.
Apichai said Phetlada has just been released after serving one and a half years in jail on a theft conviction.