A Chinese tourist reported that two women stole his diamond-covered Patek Philippe watch valued at roughly $600,000 from room 309 at the Z8 Hotel in Pattaya, Thailand on November 7. The suspects also took his passport and demanded 20,000 baht, approximately $600, to return his belongings. The tourist paid the ransom but received only his passport. The watch remained missing.
Police arrested two suspects early on November 8 and recovered the Patek Philippe PP5719G. The suspects told police they believed the watch was fake and claimed they were owed 2,000 baht, roughly $60, for an unspecified reason. The silver-colored, diamond-set timepiece can list at $725,000.