On Thursday Dec 2nd I went to Starbucks (Emporium 2nd Fl.). It was crowded. I ordered my coffee and then found a seat at the study table as I had planned to work on another grad school application. I put my bag down making eye contact with the two 40's Asian expats and asked if the seat was taken.

I then walked back to pick up my coffee. I noticed Loburt chating with a lady but didn't say Hi as we had never met yet and I didn't want to interrupt their conversation. I waited approximately 2 minutes and that was all it took.

Swoosh! The thief had my bag. I returned to the table, noticed the bag with (my buddies expensive lap top in it) was gone and asked the two Singaporian women, where it was? They said, "We thought he was your friend." I didn't ask another word and ran to the skytrain thinking he would take this way out. He hadn't.

Results of three days of detective work.

The thief is a farang. 165-170 cm. Fat around the waist and brown curly hair and a hooked nose. Looks French to me but then again security thought he was American due to his broad chest.

It doesn't matter. The noose is tightening. He is on digital video tape running from Starbucks through Emporium with my backpack on. These pics are now with the police and on their way to the Immigration Police at the airport and Suanplu. Starbcuks is very interested (they said this happens every week in that particular cafe) as well as CD Warehoouse, Emporium Tower and Emporium Shopping center. All, especially Emporium Shopping Center have been amazingly helpful. I owe them allot of grattitude for sitting with me through hours of CCTV from many camera angles in the complex.

Additionally, the ATM's the thief used immediately after the robbery all had CCTV and on Tuesday we will have close up's of his face! (Unless he covered up the camera with his hand.) And I actually think I have an idea of where (the complex) this loser lives due to his pattern of ATM use. I know the first and last ATM he used and those banks are all helping out.

I don't have a name yet, but immigration will help with that. And as I don't have a job right now.......... this shithead farang stole from the wrong fucken guy. I've got nothing but time. Like a crazed fucken dog, I'm coming for ya brother. I know the first and last ATM he tried to use with my cards. It may take unitl end December, but I will be pleased to sit in immigration and look at visa application photos for hours on end if that's what it takes to get this loser fined, jailed and then booted form the kingdom as persona-non-grata.

Did I mention all my grad school stuf was on that computer! A farang stealing **** in Thailand, what I dumbass. As soon as I have his picture close up, its going up hereon TF. 'TF's Most Wanted Thief" If you can help ID him. Let me know.

Oh yea and BNO was great on Friday night. 2U in rare, rare drunken form. And it was great meeting Eddie & George. Serp and I chowed and were sick the next day- allot.

I want to convince Eddie to have a wine party. Lets work this up with him.

omg!!! wowww!!! you must be pissssed!!! sorry to hear that!! I hope u get your stuff back. shame!

yeah really bad. and its just worse when all the work you spent time doing was saved in the notebok....really bad.

Great job there, i'm sure you'll track him down, a good lesson learn't

Sorry to hear that .. I would have cried if it happened to me..

now i know a lesson, a thief is always a thief no matter where you are from

awwwwwwww kill him !!!

Wish everything will be fine soon.

Sorry to hear that RC. The expat in my office lost his laptop in Starbucks Siam too.. it seems like the thief knows where to get good stuff..

Hope you get everything back safe and kick his ass in jail.

RC, sorry to hear that, but at least it keeps you busy ! btw, professor and i have the same remark : why you seem to attract all these "interesting" episodes ?

Espresso you put your finger on it. Its called RAHOO in Thai. A cold dark shadow. And it is not suposed to leave me until May 2005. THat is what the respected Mah-Do explained to me. MOre later. Thanks for all the comments guys. This has been really daunting. Not to mention the fact that I do all the police work wihile that dude sits on his ass in Thonglor station! F'ing cops. Good for nothing cept writing letters and wiping your ass.

RC, professor's dad was a police chief in several town.. becareful when you curse the police he he he..... anyway, i always play the song from Rage Against The Machine called "F**k the Police" loud in my car. Professor seems to like it !!! Anywa, she used to tell me a couple of time "although my dad was a police, i have to they, they suck !".. what a daughter !