The thief, who has yet to be identified, raided the Scandinavian-owned Cello Hotel in Nanai Rd on Saturday night, waiting until then receptionist took a toilet break, and then swiftly grabbing her handbag and a walkie-talkie.
Hotel GM Joni Soila told The Phuket News that he had handed CCTV footage to the police in Patong, who are trying to identify the thief from it.
The thief has pulled similar raids on many other hotels and has always eluded capture.
The hotel’s owners have offered a reward of B25,000 for information leading to the arrest of the man.
Police said they believe they know who the man is, and are now searching for him. They added that he appears to work on his own, and not as part of a gang.