Myanmar lovers robbed by FB-spying colleagues

CHON BURI: A pair of lovers from Myanmar experienced the perils of flaunting one’s wealth on social media last week when their home was broken into and they were robbed at knifepoint by two men later found to be their co-workers.

The thieves stole two pieces of gold jewellery, 105,200 baht in cash and two mobile phones but the victims did not recognise them at first as they wore ski masks at the time, police said.

They identified them later from a police line-up, police added.

The couple — Zaw Sun Yay, 20, and Li Li Win, 22 — had earlier posted photos of their valuables on Facebook, police said.

They claimed they did this to notify their families that they had prepared their respective dowries for each other’s parents ahead of their impending wedding.

The couple, both believed to be migrant workers, lodged a complaint with the Chon Buri police shortly after the theft occurred.

Pol Maj Gen Nanthachat Suphamongkol, the provincial police chief, identified the thieves yesterday as Prathip Bunmi and Phumin Kaeoson, both 40.

The thieves admitted they saw an opportunity after seeing the couple’s Facebook post, he said.

They confessed to kicking open the door of the couple’s apartment and threatening them with knives before grabbing the valuables and fleeing, he said.

They claimed to have stolen the loot to pay for taking care of their children.

They were apprehended after returning to the same apartment building. It was not clear why they paid another call to the property.

All of the stolen property has been returned, the police chief said.