Maid Receives 235-Year Sentence for Massive Gold Thefts in Thailand

[webfact]

File photo for reference only. Source: Wikipedia

 

In a stunning case of serial theft, a maid has been sentenced to 235 years in prison for pilfering gold ornaments valued at approximately 25 million baht from her employer's shop in Khon Kaen's Ban Pai district. The audacious crimes transpired over two years, shaking the small community.

 

The shop owner recounted the initial suspicion that sparked the investigation. Two months ago, a gold necklace conspicuously slipped from the maid's apron pocket, prompting immediate concern. The maid, identified as Somjit Khumduang, initially dismissed the incident as accidental, claiming the necklace may have fallen into her pocket. However, her employer's unease led to a thorough review of security footage.

 

Examinations revealed a jaw-dropping 47 instances of theft since 2021, exposing a pattern of deceit that left the shop owner reeling. The accumulated value of the stolen gold jewellery was an eye-watering 25 million baht, a figure that underscored the severity of the crimes committed.

 

Further investigations unveiled a trail of lavish purchases by Ms Somjit, who had been employed at the shop for around 10 years. Her newfound wealth financed land acquisitions, as well as a conspicuous display of luxury on her social media, where she flaunted a new motorcycle and jewellery.

 

Despite repeated pleas from her employer to return the stolen valuables, only a fraction - roughly 7 million baht worth - was ever recovered.

 

The hefty prison sentence reflects the scale and brazenness of her thefts, bringing a dramatic end to the trust once placed in a long-term member of staff. The case sends a strong message about the consequences of betrayal and dishonesty, transcending national boundaries and engaging international interest.

 

-- 2024-11-08

 

 

[JoePai]

Thought the Chinese were savvy as far a money is concerned,

Edited November 8 by JoePai

[PJ71]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

claiming the necklace may have fallen into her pocket

Classic.

[Sydebolle]

While the Red Bull grandkid still roams the world despite being accused of murder, massive drug offences and possibly other wrong doings. 
 

[ronster]

Yet I bet the people on the news lately for scamming billions from people won't even do 10 years if anywhere close to that ! 

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

47 instances of theft since 2021

The case sends a strong message about the consequences of betrayal and dishonesty, transcending national boundaries and engaging international interest.

It also sends a strong message to gold store owners not to be lazy about regular inventory.

[Purdey]

What kind of loony tunes country sentences anyone to longer than a human lifespan?

Why not just say imprisonment without parole?

[trainman34014]

Not a lot of Stocktaking at his shop then.  Anyone who has lost 25 Million Bahts worth of stock and never noticed it for years is a first class Plonker !

[Peterphuket]

235 years, that will be a while for her, presumably I will not live to see it, after all I am not a Buddhist

[ujayujay]

And.......For murder, you are free again after 7 years

[Briggsy]

3 hours ago, Purdey said:

What kind of loony tunes country sentences anyone to longer than a human lifespan?

Why not just say imprisonment without parole?

There is a maximum cap of time to be served. Perhaps somebody can help me out with this. So, here she was sentenced to 255 years, the cap will kick in and they will be released at that time. It may possibly be 25 years but I am not sure.

 

The sentence reflects the relative social positions of the criminal and the victim. Peasant class criminal and affluent victim equals huge sentence in Thailand. Also theft is punished far more seriously than in Western countries.

[jcmj]

The sentencing in Thailand makes no sense at all. She could have just murdered him before he turned her in to the police and been released in a few years. And why did it take him so long to figure it out? Maybe he was waiting for the gold prices to jump. Crazy 🤪 

[john donson]

good for the owner to keep CCTV for years !

 

but do they never do stock inventory ? 

 

was he so rich to not notice 25 million in gold missing?