Elderly Woman Stages Fake Robbery in Nong Bua Lamphu

An elderly woman in Nong Bua Lamphu, Thailand, admitted to staging a robbery at her home after using gold jewellery gifted by her daughter to fund her gambling activities. The incident came to light after the woman's daughter, living overseas, reported delays in the police investigation to Channel 8, believing a real theft had occurred.

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Pranee, the woman in question, had previously reported two thefts at her home with no suspects arrested. CCTV footage showed a man entering her home, later identified by police as Pranee’s grandson, Siwat. The footage, initially thought to depict a real crime, captured Pranee pleading with the intruder.

Police investigations revealed that Pranee had orchestrated the robbery, with Siwat confessing to taking part in the staged event. Pranee had sold jewellery worth over 840,000 baht to fund Hi-Lo gambling during Songkran, leading her to stage the robbery to cover for the missing valuables when her daughter planned a visit.

The robbery was fake, with Siwat using a cloth and a Stanley knife to mimic a weapon. Following media exposure, the police arrested Siwat on May 11, confirming his involvement. The daughter has since withdrawn the robbery complaint, and authorities are considering whether to pursue legal action against Pranee and Siwat.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 12 May 2026