Police later received a report from staff at a nearby restaurant that another three cars were broken into. Officers said the crime was possibly carried out by the same gang.

At Hua Pla Chong Nonsi restaurant, the four women left their purses on the back seat of their car at about 7pm. At midnight they found the car's windscreen was smashed and all four purses with cash, cheques and jewellery inside were gone.

The car-park attendants said a car with three men inside parked near the women's car. They told police they did not remember the model and colour of the suspects' car and did not memorise its number plate. - The Nation.

PHITSANULOK : Tree-cutter bust

A 73-year-old man arrested yesterday for cutting trees in a conservation forest in Phitsanulok's Noen Maprang district claimed he wanted the wood for his coffin.

Forestry officers caught Chamlong Kamprasert while he was cutting down trees in the Ban Chompu forest. A circular saw, a knife and three pieces of freshly cut wood were seized, forestry official Weerasak Weerapong said. Chamlong allegedly confessed, claiming he wanted the wood to make a coffin, and since he cut the trees for no commercial purpose he should not be arrested. He was later sent to a local police station. - The Nation.