Pattaya police hunt gold snatcher after mall threat

Pattaya police are searching for a man accused of snatching a two-baht-weight gold necklace on the evening of 17 July 2026, from a gold shop on the second floor of a shopping centre in Pattaya, Chonburi.

The suspect allegedly threatened staff before running from the shop, saying he needed money to repay football gambling debts. Police said they are reviewing CCTV footage.

Suspect left an ID card behind

Police Lieutenant Colonel Sudet Imjai, investigation inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, received the report of the theft. He informed his superiors before Police Lieutenant Colonel Anek Srathongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, led investigators and patrol officers to the scene.

The theft took place at Yaowarat Bangkok Gold on the second floor of the shopping centre in the north Pattaya area.

A female employee told officers that the suspect was a tall, thin man wearing a black T-shirt. He fled through the front of the shopping centre with one gold necklace weighing two baht.

He left behind an identity card, although police had not established whether it belonged to the alleged offender or is real.

Employee describes alleged threat

Wunsen, 22, an employee at the shop, said the man initially asked to try on a three-baht-weight necklace. He then returned it and asked to wear a two-baht-weight chain.

She said he then told staff: "Do not make a loud noise. I do not want to kill anyone. I am in debt from football gambling and only need the money to pay the debt."

The man then ran towards the front of the centre, she said. Staff activated the alarm and police began efforts to intercept him.

Investigators will now use security camera footage to trace the suspect and seek his arrest for legal proceedings.

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18 July 2026