Luxury Watches Worth Over 100 Million Baht Stolen in Chinese Home Burglary Near Pattaya

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of SiamChon.

 

A daring burglary took place during the evening of January 15, when a thief broke into a residence in the Huai Yai area of Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, and looted high-end watches worth over 100 million baht from a safe.

 

The crime came to light at approximately 01:30 when Pol. Lt. Navin Sunthuanik, Deputy Inspector of Huai Yai Police Station, received a report of a burglary in a village in Moo 11, Huai Yai Subdistrict. Officers and forensic experts were dispatched to the scene immediately.

 

Upon arrival, investigators examined the two-storey house, valued at an estimated 8 million baht, situated on an 80-square-wah plot. In a second-floor room, they found a black safe, 1.5 meters high and 1 meter wide, forcibly opened with a sledgehammer and a crowbar. The back panel of the safe was severely damaged. Wooden watch boxes capable of holding up to 10 watches each were found scattered across the room, but no watches remained.

 

Further inspection revealed that a rear window of the house had been forced open, presumably the point of entry for the intruder. Forensic experts collected fingerprints and other evidence from the scene to aid in identifying the suspect.

 

The house’s caretaker, Mr. Youchao Cho, 43, a Chinese national, provided a statement to police in a distressed state. Mr. Cho explained that he was looking after the property on behalf of his friend, Mr. Wang Liang Chen, 39, a Chinese businessman and owner of the house, who is currently in China dealing with legal issues. Mr. Chen operates a tourism company in Thailand but has been unable to return to the country.

 

Mr. Cho revealed that he and his family had left the house between 15:00 and 21:00 on January 15 to run errands. Upon their return, they discovered the burglary. The rear window had been pried open, and the safe was damaged. While Mr. Cho was unaware of the safe’s contents, initial information from Mr. Chen confirmed that the safe contained luxury watches from prestigious brands, valued at over 100 million baht. The thief took all the watches, leaving only the empty boxes.

 

Mr. Somboon 56, a business partner of Mr. Chen, corroborated the caretaker’s statement. He added that the property’s value and its contents underscored the severity of the crime.

 

Police investigators, led by Pol. Col. Chatree Suksiri, Deputy Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, revisited the crime scene on the afternoon of January 16, for further examination. CCTV footage from the house is being reviewed to identify potential suspects. Mr. Cho has been brought in for further questioning, while authorities are in contact with Mr. Chen to verify the total value of the stolen items.

 

A security guard for the village informed reporters that the area is predominantly owned by Chinese nationals, with properties ranging in value from 7 million baht for single-storey homes to over 10 million baht for two-storey houses with swimming pools. He speculated that the thief might have entered the property by climbing the rear fence, which backs onto a forested area.

 

Police continue to gather evidence to track down the perpetrator.

 

-- 2025-01-17

 

 

[Jim Blue]

Better watch this guy !

[sammieuk1]

Dead friends roam this land looking for any import duty paid?, it must be obvious to even the RTP' it's an inside job 🤔 

[Andre0720]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of SiamChon.

 

A daring burglary took place during the evening of January 15, when a thief broke into a residence in the Huai Yai area of Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, and looted high-end watches worth over 100 million baht from a safe.

 

The crime came to light at approximately 01:30 when Pol. Lt. Navin Sunthuanik, Deputy Inspector of Huai Yai Police Station, received a report of a burglary in a village in Moo 11, Huai Yai Subdistrict. Officers and forensic experts were dispatched to the scene immediately.

 

Upon arrival, investigators examined the two-storey house, valued at an estimated 8 million baht, situated on an 80-square-wah plot. In a second-floor room, they found a black safe, 1.5 meters high and 1 meter wide, forcibly opened with a sledgehammer and a crowbar. The back panel of the safe was severely damaged. Wooden watch boxes capable of holding up to 10 watches each were found scattered across the room, but no watches remained.

 

 

Further inspection revealed that a rear window of the house had been forced open, presumably the point of entry for the intruder. Forensic experts collected fingerprints and other evidence from the scene to aid in identifying the suspect.

 

The house’s caretaker, Mr. Youchao Cho, 43, a Chinese national, provided a statement to police in a distressed state. Mr. Cho explained that he was looking after the property on behalf of his friend, Mr. Wang Liang Chen, 39, a Chinese businessman and owner of the house, who is currently in China dealing with legal issues. Mr. Chen operates a tourism company in Thailand but has been unable to return to the country.

 

Mr. Cho revealed that he and his family had left the house between 15:00 and 21:00 on January 15 to run errands. Upon their return, they discovered the burglary. The rear window had been pried open, and the safe was damaged. While Mr. Cho was unaware of the safe’s contents, initial information from Mr. Chen confirmed that the safe contained luxury watches from prestigious brands, valued at over 100 million baht. The thief took all the watches, leaving only the empty boxes.

 

Mr. Somboon 56, a business partner of Mr. Chen, corroborated the caretaker’s statement. He added that the property’s value and its contents underscored the severity of the crime.

 

Police investigators, led by Pol. Col. Chatree Suksiri, Deputy Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, revisited the crime scene on the afternoon of January 16, for further examination. CCTV footage from the house is being reviewed to identify potential suspects. Mr. Cho has been brought in for further questioning, while authorities are in contact with Mr. Chen to verify the total value of the stolen items.

 

A security guard for the village informed reporters that the area is predominantly owned by Chinese nationals, with properties ranging in value from 7 million baht for single-storey homes to over 10 million baht for two-storey houses with swimming pools. He speculated that the thief might have entered the property by climbing the rear fence, which backs onto a forested area.

 

Police continue to gather evidence to track down the perpetrator.

 

 

-- 2025-01-17

 

 

Well, no harm done.

As just about everybody nowadays hold their smart phone in their hands, even while driving, and can check on the time of day at will.

So just candies were stolen....

[jacko45k]

And who did this guy borrow the watches from?

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, Jim Blue said:

Better watch this guy !

I haven't got the time!

[mikebell]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

left the house between 15:00 and 21:00 on January 15 to run errands.

A six hour shopping spree?  Long enough to sledge hammer a way into a safe?  Hmn!

[mikebell]

36 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

And who did this guy borrow the watches from?

It wasn't Prawit, he returned them to his dead friend's estate.

[phetphet]

14 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

I haven't got the time!

Is this a wind up?

[scottiejohn]

30 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Is this a wind up?

On second thoughts I think it was an automatic response!

[soi3eddie]

Not very safe!

 

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

And who did this guy borrow the watches from?

 

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

It wasn't Prawit, he returned them to his dead friend's estate.

 

But does Prawit have an alibi?

[ronster]

I'm smelling insurance job !🤔

[Will B Good]

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Fake luxury Watches Worth Over 100 Baht Stolen in Chinese Home Burglary Near Pattaya

[Justanotherone]

chinese owner? 100 million in watches... wow