Deadly Casanova caught

Posing as an Arab prince, a Thai man liv¬ing with HIV/Aids lured more than 20 women into having unprotected sex in Pattaya, before stealing their valuables, reportedly to pay for medicines.

Police swooped early yesterday morning follow¬ing a tipoff that a thief wanted for a pursesnatch on January 9 was walking on Soi 9 of Pattaya Road 2. They arrested Suriyachat Thanomsuk, 29, and ini¬tially charged him with theft after he confessed to stealing the purse for mon¬ey to pay for medicines.

At least 20 infected

Further investigation re¬vealed that Suriyachat, who spoke good English through working at a speedboatrental service, had been posing as an Arab or Indian prince to lure both Thais and for¬eigners into sleeping with him so he could steal their valuables. He told police that most of the sex was unprotected, meaning that at least 20 people had been exposed to HIV infection.

Police urged any woman who suspects she may have been a victim of Suriyachat to file a complaint and have a blood test.