Man Robbed of 3.3 Million Baht After Bank Withdrawal in Bangkok

[webfact]

video screenshot

 

A man was robbed of 3.3 million baht shortly after withdrawing the sum from a bank on Phatthanakan Road, Bangkok, by two gunmen who then fled the scene on a motorcycle.

 

At 3:30 p.m. on 3 July 2024, Prawet Police Station officers responded to a robbery incident in the parking lot of a supermarket located in Suan Luang District, Bangkok. Upon arriving, they found the victim, Mr. Yanai Techathabat, 44, next to his Toyota Wish car, visibly shaken.

 

Mr. Techathabat recounted the traumatic encounter: after withdrawing the large sum from a nearby bank and returning to his vehicle, he was accosted by two men brandishing guns. The assailants forced him to sit back in the car, then quickly grabbed a bag containing the cash. They made their escape on a black Yamaha X-Max motorcycle, heading towards Phatthanakan Road.

 

The police, led by Pol. Col. Surapong Phutkhao, promptly began their investigation. Surveillance footage in the vicinity is being reviewed to track down the suspects, who were described as wearing dark clothing and helmets to conceal their identities. The motorcycle's license plate number has yet to be identified.

 

Notably, the victim shares a surname commonly associated with a prominent executive in Thailand’s mobile phone sector, adding a layer of intrigue to the case. Authorities are considering all potential angles, including whether the robbery was opportunistic or if Mr. Techathabat was specifically targeted.

 

The investigation continues, and forensic officers are collecting evidence from the scene. Mr. Techathabat has been taken to Prawet Police Station for further questioning, with the hope of quickly identifying and apprehending the culprits. 

 

The brazen nature of the robbery in broad daylight has left the local community highly concerned, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance and security.

 

 

-- 2024-07-04

 

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[JoePai]

No need for large sums of cash these days - unless for an iffy reason

[Gottfrid]

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

Notably, the victim shares a surname commonly associated with a prominent executive in Thailand’s mobile phone sector, adding a layer of intrigue to the case.

So, now they are admitting they are more concerned solving crimes if it regards high society than the regular Somchai.

[stoner]

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

withdrawing the sum from a bank on Phatthanakan Road

 

and then ...

 

29 minutes ago, webfact said:

They made their escape on a black Yamaha X-Max motorcycle, heading towards Phatthanakan Road.

 

ahhhhhhh. looks like the parking lot at phattanakarn and srinakarin. if so there is a police box at the corner beside the macdonalds. 

[steven100]

maybe that 3.3m is long gone sir  ....  sorry for that say's the policemen

[Gottfrid]

35 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

and then ...

 

 

ahhhhhhh. looks like the parking lot at phattanakarn and srinakarin. if so there is a police box at the corner beside the macdonalds. 

What? Are you suggesting that they should be working? Outrageous!

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A man was robbed of 3.3 million baht shortly after withdrawing the sum from a bank

Did he need cash to pay one of those influential people who don't want to leave a bank record? 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

No need for large sums of cash these days - unless for an iffy reason

You have never paid for anything 'cash in hand'?

It is usually cheaper.

eg 'how much for the car'

'3.6 mil'.

'How about 3.3 mil cash?'

'OK'

Edited July 4 by Tropicalevo

[JoePai]

6 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

You have never paid for anything 'cash in hand'?

It is usually cheaper.

eg 'how much for the car'

'3.6 mil'.

'How about 3.3 mil cash?'

'OK'

In Thailand typically you do not get a car cheaper by paying in cash as the Dealers rely on the HP commission for their real profit

[Tropicalevo]

3 minutes ago, JoePai said:

In Thailand typically you do not get a car cheaper by paying in cash as the Dealers rely on the HP commission for their real profit

I do not use HP.

I paid cash for the wife's new car and cash for a second hand truck for the business.

Got a discount both times.

Oh - and cash for all of the second hand motorbikes that I have bought over the years.

Edited July 4 by Tropicalevo

[Will B Good]

Inside job, either the bank teller or his own associates.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Notably, the victim shares a surname commonly associated with a prominent executive in Thailand’s mobile phone sector, adding a layer of intrigue to the case. Authorities are considering all potential angles, including whether the robbery was opportunistic or if Mr. Techathabat was specifically targeted.

My monies on the latter... 

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, JoePai said:

No need for large sums of cash these days - unless for an iffy reason

 

Not really...  

 

I've been in the awkward situation of having to carry that amount into a Bank. 

 

Selling my car (two occasions)... 

 

On one occasion - the buyer (Thai) turned up with cash - we drove to the Bank and deposited the money.

Completed the PoA forms / Proof of Sale etc...  then the buyer drove of in his new car (my old car).

 

Another, the buyer (Western), turned up, we went to his bank, he withdrew the cash, we carried it to my bank, deposited the cash, then went to the DLT and completed the exchange of ownership. 

 

I think the reason was that over a certain amount of money the bank said the transfer was not instant - or something like that - it may be different now. 

 

Additionally, a lot of businesses are still cash businesses....  people go to the bank and the end of the week / month with a large Sum. 

 

Another reason - envelope money from Weddings: We had over 1 MB envelope money from our wedding. 

BiL put the boxes in the boot of his car (as he didnt trust to keep it in the hotel) then paid it in to the bank after the weekend.

 

 

-----------

 

One of the things that has always surprised me here.

 

Why don't criminals 'case-out' outside Banks and look for people carrying 'pouches' which could have large amounts of money in them - could be an easy target. 

 

The other - Criminals watching at large weddings - watching where the envelope money is taken to, then ripping them off. 

 

 

 

 

[KhunBENQ]

Watching this news anchor is funny stuff.

Could someone donate him a pair of glasses or bigger print

 

4 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Inside job, either the bank teller or his own associates.

Sure. That was not by chance.

And carrying 3.3 million (3300 notes at least) is quite a big pouch.

Would fit in a full size rucksack.

[NativeBob]

4 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Inside job, either the bank teller or his own associates.

I thought you cannot just walk-in and draw that much. You have to pre-order and make an appointment. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Inside job, either the bank teller or his own associates.

I should think the victim would have to have given at least 24 hours notice to the bank for large sums of cash. That would give time for a setup hoist.

[0ffshore360]

Something dodgy somewhere in the heist event!

Definitely no way a random chance holdup.

Unlikely to hear more about outcome.

 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

And carrying 3.3 million (3300 notes at least) is quite a big pouch.

Would fit in a full size rucksack.

Easily...with room for more.

[Liverpool Lou]

58 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

I thought you cannot just walk-in and draw that much. You have to pre-order and make an appointment. 

That's not the case, there are not many bank branches that couldn't come up with just B3m on demand.

Edited July 4 by Liverpool Lou

[Liverpool Lou]

20 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

I should think the victim would have to have given at least 24 hours notice to the bank for large sums of cash. That would give time for a setup hoist.

Why would you think that...for just B3m? 

 

"That would give time for a setup hoist".

There's no way that moving B3m would need a hoist to be set up.

[Will B Good]

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Why would you think that...for just B3m? 

 

"That would give time for a setup hoist".

There's no way that moving B3m would need a hoist to be set up.

That's close to grammar policing.....tut

[sammieuk1]

Only fleeing criminals would wear helmets  🤔

[RichardColeman]

Inside job or insurance scam - pick one

[HalAndLois]

The cops are investigating whether the man was specifically targeted.  You mean a guy who withdraws $100,000 and is immediately robbed might have been the victim of an inside job?  I'm glad these crack sleuths are on the case.

[BangkokReady]

4 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

That would give time for a setup hoist.

 

I doubt the money was that heavy...

[kwonitoy]

When I paid off my condo, at one bank I had to withdraw 5 million baht and transfer it to another bank that the builder used, about 5 blocks away.

I told the teller to transfer it by wire, bank to bank

The teller was shocked, because they charge a nominal fee per 100,000 baht, don't remember now but it was a small fee.

She even called the bank manager and they were insistent I hand carry the amount to save the fee, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

They did the transfer at a cost of a couple thousand baht to me, which they thought was crazy. TIT

Thai's are so against even the smallest of bank fee's for some reason

[HampiK]

Everybody who tell they only change was to take out cash (big amount), i'm confused, why this person not do a cashier cheque!

Yes, you probably can't wire the money, but take out a cashier cheque, it's save. It's one paper, and you can put on the name, and only that person (company) can use the money. So even if the cheque would be lost, the money wouldn't be lost (but maybe need some time).

 

I'm always wondering why so many people here don't know how to do it.
I understand, if you sell something and the other person came  up with cash, but even then, you should make it clear in advance that you want a cashier cheque!

[Liverpool Lou]

On 7/4/2024 at 4:25 PM, RichardColeman said:

Inside job or insurance scam - pick one

Neither. The robber has been arrested.

[richard_smith237]

On 7/7/2024 at 4:45 AM, HampiK said:

Everybody who tell they only change was to take out cash (big amount), i'm confused, why this person not do a cashier cheque!

Yes, you probably can't wire the money, but take out a cashier cheque, it's save. It's one paper, and you can put on the name, and only that person (company) can use the money. So even if the cheque would be lost, the money wouldn't be lost (but maybe need some time).

 

I'm always wondering why so many people here don't know how to do it.
I understand, if you sell something and the other person came  up with cash, but even then, you should make it clear in advance that you want a cashier cheque!

 

The issue with Cashiers checks is they can be faked... 

 

When I've made large cash-payments, I've arranged a cashiers check 

But when receiving large cash-payments, when receiving a cashiers-check, I've had to call the Bank and verify the check... and then when paying it in, getting the bank to contact the other bank and again verifying the check. 

.. Thus, cash removes that hassle and ambiguity. 

 

These days - its easier to simply transfer the money directly as direct transfers are now instantaneous (they weren't in the past)

[bamnutsak]

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/laotian-police-arrest-thai-man-in-3-3-million-baht-theft