Farang Robs Thai Bank Of 420,000 Baht

[kopite]

In carrying out the heist, the thief wore a face mask, a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers.

Sounds like someone has some identifying marks on his arms. Tattoos maybe?

Hmm...short stature, tattoos, likes to rob banks....very possibly this one is from Liverpool. Just my two cents

not even worth two cents that.

[gdhm]

good on him whoever he is,banks have enough money,i hope he gets clean away and enjoys the money.In my opinion the police in Thailand are the biggest robbers in the country,but when it comes to doing any REAL police work they are usually incompetent,they are more interested in robbing farangs on trumped up traffick fines.I hope this guy stays free WELL DONE mate,i will raise a glass for you tonight.

What a pathetic, provocative piece of hate mail.

I don't think ANY country in the World would want you living in it with attitudes like yours. A threat to DECENT people.

What on Earth has your views about the banks and police, got to do with THIS criminal doing armed robbery.

Surely, you are NOT suggesting he /she did this to make a point against banks or the police.

As I said how pathetic

NO regards

Dave

[wolfmanjack]

I'm surprised he only made off with 420,000B. Most tellers at major banks have this amount or more in every single till. The door to the safe is usually wide open. I have never seen pop-up security grills.

Where was the bank's security person. All major banks, that I have seen, have at least one security officer hovering near the door.

This reaks of a bungled inside job.

Soundman.

1) The tills may have been almost empty by then. The banks here usually close at 3:30pm and only stay open until 4:30pm on the last day of the month when many people withdraw large sums to pay their workers. I am sure they have a pretty good estimate of how much cash they need on this day since it happens every month. Also there would have only been money going out and none coming in.

2) Most of the banks use a traffic police officer to guard the inside of the bank. In the morning he is usually directing traffic and in the afternoon also. The in between times when the armed police officer is sitting in the bank. The other guards i have seen is usually outside helping people park.

If this was an inside job he would have been there in the morning before the traffic police officer showed up. Then all of the tills and the safe would have been full. If he would have been smart he would have done it in the morning even without it being an inside job. He could have gotten away with millions.

I have been in the banks on payday before and have seen 2 women load a bag with a couple of million baht. One woman on each handle and off they went to the parking lot. I am surprised more of these civilians have not been robbed let alone these banks with loads of cash on pay day and poor security.

[fred007]

yes very cool and the key stone cops on the trail again .As long as no one gets hurt accept the bank insurance company so be it . I would not get out of bed for 420000 baht to tell you the truth

[joskydive]

‘Farang’ robs Karon bank

KARON, PHUKET: Despite an intensive manhunt, police have yet to apprehend the Caucasian man who held up the Siam Commercial Bank branch on Patak Rd in Karon late yesterday afternoon, getting away with 420,000 baht in cash.

At the monthly Phuket Provincial Security Committee meeting held at the ST Hotel in Phuket City this morning, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Budnampetch said he believed the culprit is still in the Karon area.

Soon after the heist, about 4:30 pm, Chalong Police began checking all guesthouses and motorcycle rental agencies in the area in the hope of tracking down the man, who was confirmed by Gen Decha as being a “farang”.

“I think he has been in Thailand [a while] because he could speak some Thai. So, not a tourist then!

I think he may have tried to copy the Dutchman who held up the office at Phuket Villa California recently [and was apprehended the following day].

“Witnesses said the man waited on his motorbike in front of the bank for about 30 minutes before entering,” Gen Decha said.[/iAnd no-one got a really good look at him.

In carrying out the heist, the thief wore a face mask, a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers Can't remember the last time I seen a 'Tourist' wearing a White long-sleeved shirt and black trousers. Isn't this what working men wear?

. He entered the bank quickly and promptly held a gun to the head of Branch Manager Thurdsak Chusap and demanded cash.

“Even though he was masked, I believe he was a foreigner because he spoke both Thai and English. He kept shouting ‘ray-o ray-o!’ [faster, faster] and ‘More, more!’. He wasn’t a big guy, though. Actually he was shorter than me at about 160 to 165 centimeters,” K. Thurdsak told the Gazette.

“I was really frightened. Everything happened so fast, it was over in just two minutes and he made off on a Suzuki Step motorbike with 420,000 baht. Fortunately, some people outside got a look at his motorbike. That should provide the police with some valuable clues,” he said.

The robbery was recorded on the bank’s closed-circuit television cameras, but the images were not very clear, he said.

“Our bank is under 24-hour video surveillance and I am not sure if the robber knows that images of him robbing the bank were recorded,” he said.

The robber waited until just before the bank’s 4:30 pm closing time to strike, he noted.

Despite the robbery, the bank was back to business as usual and ready to pay out end-of-the-month salaries due today for many workers on the island, he said. So, wasn't so frightened to give him all the money then!

Chairing this morning’s meeting, Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit was clearly exasperated by the second robbery-at-gunpoint by a farang in the same month.

Crime rates were already high enough among Thais and the numerous illegal laborers on the island without tourists getting in on the act, he said. But you just said you thought he had been here a while because he could speak a little Thai. So where does the tourist bit come in?

Gov Niran told the security committee he understood that government officers assigned to Phuket were tired with the constant challenges they face here, but nevertheless encouraged them to redouble their efforts to catch the thief in order to protect Phuket’s image as a safe tourist destination.

- Phuket Gazette 2007-06-29

Robbing anyone of anything is not right and I don't condone what this person has done in any way, but something here just doesn't ring true. I wonder if they should look a little closer to home!

Apart from that, it seems that foreigners here have somehow got a bad reputation already without having something like this blamed on them aswell and personally, I wouldn't bother wasting my time for that minimal amount of money anyway.

[highdiver]

yes very cool and the key stone cops on the trail again .As long as no one gets hurt accept the bank insurance company so be it . I would not get out of bed for 420000 baht to tell you the truth

thats incredible...

my wife was just saying that she has been reading abou Neomi Camble the model who said she will not get out of bed for 15,000 usd

since its about the same as 420,000baht. it made me wonder....

are you in bed with neomi???

[tropo]

She wouldn't have the balls.

But then she wouldn't have the disadvantage of having to think with them.

James Bond anyone?

Edited July 1, 2007 by tropo

[present]

I wonder how those can come in at the first place.As we live now with global economy, I also would prefer global politics and not the protectionist politics what many Asian countrys do,at some point things will change like it or not, but politicians are afraid to lose their influence and power, not to mention the money.I know that the Visa business brings a lot of cash for the country, but works negative on economics.Thailand would benefit from more farangs in many ways, but actions like this doesn't help our reputation forward and can lead to even tighter visa rules. If it was a long term farang than he must have been desparate, because when the police find him he will hope he was never born.

Does anyone else find that heading offensive?

He may have been a Thai citizen, albeit a farang.

Idiots - he's hardly going to be in a guest house if he is 420,000 richer.

I remember when the UK queen was here - the police were searching the KSR guest houses looking for IRA - idiots.

Yeah, you must be right - bank robbers and IRA terrorists always stay at the Marriot

[pansted00]

Not surprising to see the amount of support this guy gets, knowing the scum of the world lives in Pattaya.

[bruceboy]

Its crooks like this who give all farangs and their wives bad names. I for one fully support the Royal Thai Police and hope this scum bag gets caught soon.

[harrytheb]

Fantastic news!

Makes a change from them robbing us!!

My parents entered the land of crimes on Thursday for a 2 week break. They where fined $800 for bringing in 300 cigarettes into the county!

Keep up the good work.

Harry

[Globeliner]

good on him whoever he is,banks have enough money,i hope he gets clean away and enjoys the money.In my opinion the police in Thailand are the biggest robbers in the country,but when it comes to doing any REAL police work they are usually incompetent,they are more interested in robbing farangs on trumped up traffick fines.I hope this guy stays free WELL DONE mate,i will raise a glass for you tonight.

What a pathetic, provocative piece of hate mail.

I don't think ANY country in the World would want you living in it with attitudes like yours. A threat to DECENT people.

What on Earth has your views about the banks and police, got to do with THIS criminal doing armed robbery.

Surely, you are NOT suggesting he /she did this to make a point against banks or the police.

As I said how pathetic

NO regards

Dave

Do you think before you post?

WELL DONE TO THE ROBBER!

[gburns57au]

Fantastic news!

Makes a change from them robbing us!!

My parents entered the land of crimes on Thursday for a 2 week break. They where fined $800 for bringing in 300 cigarettes into the county!

Keep up the good work.

Harry

The limit is 200....they broke the law....simple really....

Same as this guy who turned over the bank....he is a criminal...he held a gun to another mans head for crying out loud....he is not a hero...Now if someone got the better of a bank by using legal means, then I would salute them....but to walk into a bank with a weapon is cowardice.

Why do people here think that the law doesnt apply to them....

Break the law...pay the cost...simple really

[teejay]

Not surprising to see the amount of support this guy gets, knowing the scum of the world lives in Pattaya.

sad but true...

[hgma]

aldo i speak decent thai, its obvious I cant rob a bank in Thailand(wich i never would!!)

Just due to the fact that i am build as a farang....1.90 h 90.2 kg.w

this guy however took his (stupid) change........160 asian figure.

strange>>>>>>>>>>>>???????

it MUST be a farang........UH?????????

because he spoke english too UH????????????????" More....More.

Anybody ever encounterd a clever Thai (thief)??????

according to me we are dealing with a cleaver THAI who in the awake of the Dutch robbery events took his change.

but then again I am just a simple guy and by no means a detective.

hgma

‘Farang’ robs Karon bank

KARON, PHUKET: Despite an intensive manhunt, police have yet to apprehend the Caucasian man who held up the Siam Commercial Bank branch on Patak Rd in Karon late yesterday afternoon, getting away with 420,000 baht in cash.

At the monthly Phuket Provincial Security Committee meeting held at the ST Hotel in Phuket City this morning, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Budnampetch said he believed the culprit is still in the Karon area.

Soon after the heist, about 4:30 pm, Chalong Police began checking all guesthouses and motorcycle rental agencies in the area in the hope of tracking down the man, who was confirmed by Gen Decha as being a “farang”.

“I think he has been in Thailand [a while] because he could speak some Thai. I think he may have tried to copy the Dutchman who held up the office at Phuket Villa California recently [and was apprehended the following day].

“Witnesses said the man waited on his motorbike in front of the bank for about 30 minutes before entering,” Gen Decha said.

In carrying out the heist, the thief wore a face mask, a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers. He entered the bank quickly and promptly held a gun to the head of Branch Manager Thurdsak Chusap and demanded cash.

“Even though he was masked, I believe he was a foreigner because he spoke both Thai and English. He kept shouting ‘ray-o ray-o!’ [faster, faster] and ‘More, more!’. He wasn’t a big guy, though. Actually he was shorter than me at about 160 to 165 centimeters,” K. Thurdsak told the Gazette.

“I was really frightened. Everything happened so fast, it was over in just two minutes and he made off on a Suzuki Step motorbike with 420,000 baht. Fortunately, some people outside got a look at his motorbike. That should provide the police with some valuable clues,” he said.

The robbery was recorded on the bank’s closed-circuit television cameras, but the images were not very clear, he said.

“Our bank is under 24-hour video surveillance and I am not sure if the robber knows that images of him robbing the bank were recorded,” he said.

The robber waited until just before the bank’s 4:30 pm closing time to strike, he noted.

Despite the robbery, the bank was back to business as usual and ready to pay out end-of-the-month salaries due today for many workers on the island, he said.

Chairing this morning’s meeting, Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit was clearly exasperated by the second robbery-at-gunpoint by a farang in the same month.

Crime rates were already high enough among Thais and the numerous illegal laborers on the island without tourists getting in on the act, he said.

Gov Niran told the security committee he understood that government officers assigned to Phuket were tired with the constant challenges they face here, but nevertheless encouraged them to redouble their efforts to catch the thief in order to protect Phuket’s image as a safe tourist destination.

- Phuket Gazette 2007-06-29

[sriracha john]

Not surprising to see the amount of support this guy gets, knowing the scum of the world lives in Pattaya.

sad but true...

The robbery occured in Phuket.

[Scott]

It is sad to see so many people support a brazen act of unlawfulness. I have no love for the banks, for being ripped off, or the many things that drive me nuts here. Robbery, however, is wrong. This reflects badly on all farang.

As for the Police, if they don't catch him, they may catch someone and that means the wrong person may end up in jail.

[wolfmanjack]

Fantastic news!

Makes a change from them robbing us!!

My parents entered the land of crimes on Thursday for a 2 week break. They where fined $800 for bringing in 300 cigarettes into the county!

Keep up the good work.

Harry

The limit is 200....they broke the law....simple really....

Same as this guy who turned over the bank....he is a criminal...he held a gun to another mans head for crying out loud....he is not a hero...Now if someone got the better of a bank by using legal means, then I would salute them....but to walk into a bank with a weapon is cowardice.

Why do people here think that the law doesnt apply to them....

Break the law...pay the cost...simple really

Get real. If you have an extra 100 cigarettes and you are a real tourist, which would be obvious by looking at the passport, customs agents of most places would let you throw them away. I have taken drugs into the USA that were purchased over the counter here in thailand but you need a prescription for in the USA. I said i did not know and the customs agent let me toss them in the garbage can. Technically i broke the law. They let me slide since it was not intentional.

[karlbkk]

‘Farang’ robs Karon bank

KARON, PHUKET: Despite an intensive manhunt, police have yet to apprehend the Caucasian man who held up the Siam Commercial Bank branch on Patak Rd in Karon late yesterday afternoon, getting away with 420,000 baht in cash.

At the monthly Phuket Provincial Security Committee meeting held at the ST Hotel in Phuket City this morning, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Budnampetch said he believed the culprit is still in the Karon area.

Soon after the heist, about 4:30 pm, Chalong Police began checking all guesthouses and motorcycle rental agencies in the area in the hope of tracking down the man, who was confirmed by Gen Decha as being a “farang”.

It was only a matter of time now more will follow

“I think he has been in Thailand [a while] because he could speak some Thai. I think he may have tried to copy the Dutchman who held up the office at Phuket Villa California recently [and was apprehended the following day].

“Witnesses said the man waited on his motorbike in front of the bank for about 30 minutes before entering,” Gen Decha said.

In carrying out the heist, the thief wore a face mask, a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers. He entered the bank quickly and promptly held a gun to the head of Branch Manager Thurdsak Chusap and demanded cash.

“Even though he was masked, I believe he was a foreigner because he spoke both Thai and English. He kept shouting ‘ray-o ray-o!’ [faster, faster] and ‘More, more!’. He wasn’t a big guy, though. Actually he was shorter than me at about 160 to 165 centimeters,” K. Thurdsak told the Gazette.

“I was really frightened. Everything happened so fast, it was over in just two minutes and he made off on a Suzuki Step motorbike with 420,000 baht. Fortunately, some people outside got a look at his motorbike. That should provide the police with some valuable clues,” he said.

The robbery was recorded on the bank’s closed-circuit television cameras, but the images were not very clear, he said.

“Our bank is under 24-hour video surveillance and I am not sure if the robber knows that images of him robbing the bank were recorded,” he said.

The robber waited until just before the bank’s 4:30 pm closing time to strike, he noted.

Despite the robbery, the bank was back to business as usual and ready to pay out end-of-the-month salaries due today for many workers on the island, he said.

Chairing this morning’s meeting, Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit was clearly exasperated by the second robbery-at-gunpoint by a farang in the same month.

Crime rates were already high enough among Thais and the numerous illegal laborers on the island without tourists getting in on the act, he said.

Gov Niran told the security committee he understood that government officers assigned to Phuket were tired with the constant challenges they face here, but nevertheless encouraged them to redouble their efforts to catch the thief in order to protect Phuket’s image as a safe tourist destination.

- Phuket Gazette 2007-06-29

[alby1234]

well he must be a farrang if he spoke both thai and english!!! because there are no thai people in phuket who can speak english!!! the height of the suspect is a funny height for a farrang though.

[Briggsy]

What hard evidence is there that the bank robber was a Westerner?

[joskydive]

Not surprising to see the amount of support this guy gets, knowing the scum of the world lives in Pattaya.

sad but true...

The robbery occured in Phuket.

I don't support this person atall. I think he is an idiot for deciding that robbing around 6000 quid here in Thailand is worth all those years he could spent in prison when he is caught.

I do, however, live in Pattaya and I don't believe that I am the scum of the world, but, that's maybe because I only mix with decent people and you obviously don't!

You should remember, not to tar everyone with the same brush as your own until you know them, and as, Sriracha john has clearly pointed out, this happened in Phuket anyway.

[coldcrush]

Maybe his buffalo was sick and he needed the money to get help?

[bruceboy]

[

Break the law...pay the cost...simple really

Good post.

We shouldn't make light of this story. Imagine if someone held a gun to your head.

[jtp]

Well, idiots like that certainly doesn't do our reputation here any favors.

BTW, the bank guy Thurdsak--one of my favorite Thai names!

Thats not REALLY his name,is it?

Yes, a quite common name. Some of my other favorites are female names Tittiporn and Sukanya, but I digress.

I imagine normal names in Thailand,but you would be asking for a change if you went to a western country...

[jtp]

Not surprising to see the amount of support this guy gets, knowing the scum of the world lives in Pattaya.

sad but true...

The robbery occured in Phuket.

I don't support this person atall. I think he is an idiot for deciding that robbing around 6000 quid here in Thailand is worth all those years he could spent in prison when he is caught.

I do, however, live in Pattaya and I don't believe that I am the scum of the world, but, that's maybe because I only mix with decent people and you obviously don't!

You should remember, not to tar everyone with the same brush as your own until you know them, and as, Sriracha john has clearly pointed out, this happened in Phuket anyway.

I don't live in Pattaya or Phuket,and for good reason....I believe both these places have a high level of undesired persons coming and going on a regular basis.A walk down the beach with my sixteen year old step daughter draws many a fat,bald mans looks,up and down,and no,she is not in a bikini,or anything provocative.Thailand draws these people here,with it's less then desirable reputation as a sex shop.Every farang that does something stupid reflects poorly on the decent one's here.As for the persons who condone armed robbery,may somebody push a loaded gun into your face,and scream at you that they will kill you!!! NOT SO HILARIOUS THEN,IS IT? What is wrong with people these days???

[geoffphuket]

well he must be a farrang if he spoke both thai and english!!! because there are no thai people in phuket who can speak english!!! the height of the suspect is a funny height for a farrang though.

Newbies

[chinthee]

Come all you Sherlock Holmes. Height, build, examine facial structure, clothing type. Burmese laborer, or other south Asian laborer as likely suspect?

[SiamSquare123]

Could have been Japanese, Burmese, Indian or was it Harry Bellefonte: ray-o ray-o!'

Abolish the visa runs. Tourist visas allow no more than 3 months in any one year. Non immigrant visa applicants raise stake to 2/3 million baht, make them provide police letters from their home countries confirming there is nothing on police records about them and to show proof that they have legitimate means to be able to support themselves and families in Thailand if they intend to stay for the long term future - pension, earnings from business.

The one year non immigrant visa should be imposed even on those coming to Thailand who intend to legally work here for less than one year. They can leave the kingdom anytime within one year.

Sooner or not so later these visa run dregs that can dodge in & out of Thailand without much effort, will mess things up for all long term residents.

Yes, because Farangs commiting crime in Thailand is an epidemic.

In all seriousness, its amazing that you figured out how to use a computer.

[SiamSquare123]

no offense, but everytime i open thai visa i am amazed at how unintelligent most of you are.

do you think thai people leave their house scared of farang because of a few isolated incidents? dont you realize that for every crime a farang commits in thailand there are thousands commited be a thai.

just how many of you are running ebay stores?