Security Head at IHG-Managed Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach Attempts Break-In of Women’s Room

Phuket Hotels – Crime: A late-night incident at a well-known Phuket beachfront resort has triggered a major police investigation, widespread public concern, and renewed scrutiny of hotel security practices after the head of security at an internationally branded property managed by IHG Hotels was arrested for attempting to enter a female guest’s room using a staff keycard.

This this Phuket Hotels – Crime news report centres on events that unfolded on the night of January 16, when Thai DJ Mirinda Malinrattanawadee, also known publicly as DJ Miranda, was staying alone at the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach. The artist had travelled to the island to attend the Electric Daisy Carnival but chose to remain in her room that evening after feeling unwell.

Late-Night Disturbance Raises Alarm

According to Mirinda’s account, she was resting in her room at approximately 10pm when she heard a man shouting “Hey!” outside her door. The unexpected call immediately unsettled her. She did not respond and instead secured the door latch from inside. Moments later, the doorbell rang. While recording on her mobile phone, she asked who was outside, but received no reply.

Within seconds, the door handle moved and the door opened slightly, stopped only by the engaged latch. Realizing the severity of the situation, Mirinda shouted, causing the man outside to flee along the corridor. Her video footage, later shared on social media, clearly captured the voice and movement outside the room, rapidly gaining national attention.

Initial Hotel Response Sparks Outrage

Following the incident, Mirinda immediately reported the matter to hotel staff. However, she was told that CCTV footage showed no one outside her door at the time of the disturbance. This response only heightened her distress. In one of her viral videos, a hotel representative is heard stating that the CCTV footage had disappeared, an explanation that sparked outrage online and intensified public pressure on the hotel to provide answers.

Unable to obtain immediate accountability, Mirinda checked out of the resort and filed a formal complaint at Cherng Talay Police Station the following day. At that stage, police confirmed only that the suspect was a hotel employee, citing ongoing legal procedures.

Police Recover Deleted CCTV Footage

Investigators later recovered deleted CCTV footage from the hotel’s security system. The restored recordings showed a man moving through guest corridors late at night, dressed casually in a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. The suspect was seen testing access to several rooms before approaching Mirinda’s door and using a keycard to attempt entry.

Police identified the man as 39-year-old Kanisorn, the hotel’s head of security and a retired army sergeant major. Despite finishing his official shift around 4pm, Kanisorn reportedly remained on the property, staying in a staff area before roaming guest floors hours later. Officers allege that after the failed break-in, he attempted to erase CCTV footage before leaving the premises.

Serious Questions Over Keycard Control

Authorities confirmed that the keycard used in the attempted break-in was issued for housekeeping staff. As head of security, Kanisorn was responsible for collecting and storing such cards after shifts ended. This revelation has raised serious concerns about internal access controls and oversight within the hotel’s security operations.

Former hotel employees and industry observers have since questioned whether the card used was a master key capable of opening all guest rooms. The incident has fuelled broader debate across Thailand about how luxury hotels manage staff access to occupied rooms, particularly during nighttime hours.

Arrest, Charges, and Hotel Apology

Kanisorn was formally charged with attempting to break into a dwelling at night, a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both. Police also disclosed that background checks revealed a prior civil lawsuit involving unpaid bank loans and a legal name change, details now included in the case file.

In response, the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach issued a public apology, expressing regret to the victim and guests and accepting responsibility for the incident. Management confirmed that Kanisorn’s employment was terminated immediately and pledged a comprehensive review and upgrade of security protocols. The hotel stated it was fully cooperating with authorities and conducting its own internal investigation.

Ongoing Investigation and Wider Impact

Investigators believe Kanisorn acted alone and found no evidence of forced entry tools. The latch lock on Mirinda’s door is credited with preventing a potentially far more serious outcome. Police continue to examine electronic keycard logs, interview staff, and analyze recovered digital evidence as the case moves toward court proceedings.

The incident has sent shockwaves through Phuket’s hospitality sector, prompting renewed focus on guest safety, CCTV integrity, and staff accountability. For many travelers and residents, the case serves as a stark reminder that trust in hotel security systems must be backed by strict controls, transparency, and constant oversight.

As legal proceedings continue, authorities have urged any additional witnesses to come forward, while hotel operators across the island quietly reassess their own internal safeguards. The matter now rests with the provincial court, but its implications for Phuket’s tourism reputation may resonate far longer than the trial itself.

Media Reference:

https://www.thairath.co.th/news/crime/2908612

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