Airport baggage handler caught with stolen cash after cautious tourist photographs her money

An airport baggage handler in Bangkok has been arrested after rummaging through a tourist's suitcase to steal cash - unaware that she had photographed each note.

South Korean tourist Lee So Yeong put 20,000 baht (£531) in her luggage before travelling to Thailand from Seoul.

After landing at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Lee checked her baggage and found that 16 of the 20 notes were missing.

She reported the missing money to the airport police and explained that before packing, she had photographed every note because she had read stories about items going missing from luggage.

The extra precautions paid off and police were able to use the images to trace the lost cash.

Police interrogated staff and discovered baggage handler Pairin Pholkan, 30, was found hiding four 1,000 baht notes in his locker.

They were able to identify them from the matching serial numbers on the pictures that Lee had taken.

Police captain Siitipong Panthaisong said: "Pairin admitted stealing the money from the tourist's suitcase."

''He said that the suitcase zip was already partly open so he reached inside and snatched some money."

"Initially, we will charge him for stealing in the airport and he will be sent to court soon."

Lee has since been reunited with the stolen cash and continued with her holiday.