AUSTRALIA ADF COMPUTER STOLEN ADF investigates computer theft:

ADF investigates computer theft
July 10, 2009

The Australian defence department has launched an investigation into the theft of a departmental notebook computer and other valuables from the Bangkok hotel room of an Australian naval officer.

The Australian, named in an official Thai police report as Peter de Maskens, a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Navy, was staying at the five-star Banyan Tree Hotel in central Bangkok.

The computer and several other items allegedly were stolen last weekend from his room by a woman, believed to Thai, whom he had met at a nearby entertainment district.

An official Thai police report into the incident, seen by AAP, said de Maskens had left the hotel late Friday evening or early Saturday morning and gone to the entertainment and red light district of Nana Plaza in Sukhumvit Road.

The report, filed at 11.20am on Saturday, July 4 (local time), said de Maskens had returned to the hotel at 2.42am accompanied by a female friend. It said he awoke at 7am to find several items had beenstolen.

The police report listed the items as a notebook computer, a mobile telephone, two bags, an IPOD NANO, his passport, plus Visa and Diners Club credit cards.

A police report was necessary to enable de Maskens to obtain at short notice Australian identification documents enabling him to travel.

A manager at the Banyan Tree hotel said suites had in-room safes, plus there was a central safe for larger items. The hotel also had closed circuit TV throughout the premises.

"Safety for the guests and staff was very important," the manager said.

Australian officials are said to have requested copies of the hotel's CCTV tapes available at the time of the theft.

An Australian defence ministry spokesman, in an email, noted the "incident was under investigation" but said "no further details" were available.

The Defence Ministry refused to release or confirm "any personal details" for "privacy reasons", but said "the lieutenant commander has received the assistance of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok and the Thai authorities".

The defence spokesman said the incident occurred on the evening of July 3.

He played down concerns over a possible security breach regarding any information on the laptop.

"The laptop contained only the lowest classification and was fitted with appropriate security software to deny access to any information on the computer," the spokesman said.

The incident comes as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) warns Australian travellers of possible "food and drink spiking, assault and robbery against foreigners" in Thailand.

"Petty crime is common. Money and passports have been stolen from rooms," the DFAT notice says.

Visiting Australia officials have been warned against going to the Nana Plaza red light district because of fears of potential fire hazards with inadequate safety measures or exits.

In January this year, more than 60 people died and many more were injured when a fire broke out at a central Bangkok pub and nightclub.

De Maskens, who received the Order of Australia medal this year, is an expert in the field of maritime communications and information systems.