Crime Security Guard Killed as Gang Steals E-Cigarettes from Khlong Toei Port

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A security guard was killed in the early hours of 1 June, after a gang of thieves rammed their van into pursuing guards while fleeing the scene of a robbery at Khlong Toei Port. The gang had reportedly stolen e-cigarettes from a customs container stored at the Port Authority’s Stadium warehouse.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 01:40 on Kasemrat Road in the Khlong Toei district of Bangkok. Officers from Thungmahamek Police Station, forensic specialists, a pathologist from Chulalongkorn Forensic Hospital and volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation responded to the scene.

 

There, they discovered the body of 58-year-old security guard Mr Boonnak Sawatsuk, who had sustained fatal injuries to his head. He was found lying unresponsive near his damaged Honda Wave motorcycle, which had been struck with considerable force. A grey pickup truck nearby had also suffered damage.

 

Witnesses reported that a suspicious white van carrying five men had entered the warehouse premises and begun tampering with a shipping container that had previously been seized by customs officers and was believed to contain e-cigarettes and liquid cartridges. Security personnel on duty attempted to intercept the gang, prompting the suspects to flee.

 

Several guards pursued the van on motorbikes. During the chase, the van reversed aggressively and struck Mr Boonnak’s motorcycle, killing him instantly. The van then collided with a parked pickup truck before speeding away toward the Na Ranong five-way junction.

 

Further investigation has revealed that the warehouse gates, usually kept shut, had been left open due to a futsal match taking place earlier that evening. This may have provided the gang with an opportunity to infiltrate the facility.

 

Mr Montri Doktoi, the head of security on duty that night, expressed sorrow over the loss of his colleague and raised concerns about how the gang knew which container held the valuable items. “Even I didn’t know that there were e-cigarettes inside,” he said. “It’s suspicious. It might have been an inside job.”

 

A local volunteer, Mr Somchai Janphet, who lives near the warehouse, also played a role in the response. He had received a tip-off from a good Samaritan sleeping in a car near the site, who reported hearing suspicious activity. Mr Somchai helped alert guards and attempted to secure the exits. He later observed the van attempting to flee and managed to photograph its licence plate before the fatal collision occurred.

 

According to his account, the van’s driver initially tried to explain away their presence by claiming they were just sleeping in the vehicle. However, a flashlight search revealed a brown cardboard box later confirmed to contain stolen e-cigarettes. As security personnel surrounded the van, the suspects made their escape. Two gang members jumped out to open the gate while the van reversed at speed, running over Mr Boonnak and hitting a passing vehicle. The van then fled the scene, leaving two accomplices behind to escape on foot.

 

As of the afternoon of 1 June, police have confirmed the arrest of one of the suspects, identified as “Bird Rong-Mai”, who was allegedly seen inside the van during the robbery. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have pledged to bring all those involved to justice.

 

Police believe the theft was planned with insider knowledge, given the gang’s apparent awareness of the contents of a specific container among many stored at the site.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-02.

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Five Suspects Arrested in E-Cigarette Heist That Left Security Guard Dead

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

Five suspects involved in a daring heist that led to the death of a security guard have now been apprehended, while the alleged ringleader, known as “Bank,” remains on the run.

 

The incident occurred in the early hours of 31 May, when a group of armed men in a van stormed a warehouse under the Port Authority of Thailand, which was being used by the Customs Department to store seized e-cigarettes. The thieves cut into a shipping container and attempted to make off with the contraband. As they fled the scene, the gang reversed their vehicle into a security guard who had tried to intercept them, killing him instantly.

 

Following a thorough investigation, arrest warrants were issued for six suspects. Police have since taken five of them into custody: Bird, Ek, King, Ji, and Lek. Four were initially arrested, with Lek captured later on 2 June and brought to Tha Ruea Police Station for questioning.

 

The prime suspect, identified as Sithisak or “Bank,” allegedly orchestrated the entire operation and was behind the wheel of the van that struck the guard. He is now wanted for murder, in addition to charges of armed robbery causing death, night-time theft, unlawful entry, criminal damage and membership of a criminal gang.

 

According to initial police statements, all five detained suspects have confessed to their roles and confirmed that Bank led the group. Although they denied any specific allocation of tasks, they admitted acting together, from breaking into the container to keeping watch during the operation.

 

After the fatal collision, Bank, Ji, and Lek reportedly transported the stolen goods to a location linked to an individual named Jay. Bird and Ek claimed Bank managed the entire plan and that they were unaware of the full details or their potential share of the loot.

 

Investigators suspect that the gang had inside information, as they appeared to know which container held the valuable goods and when the warehouse gates would be opened. This has prompted further questioning of Customs Department personnel, although police have stressed that no law enforcement officers are believed to be involved.

 

One suspect, Bird, had reportedly performed casual work at the police station before, such as cleaning and running errands. However, police have categorically denied any links between this case and serving officers, including speculation surrounding a van seen at the crime scene that resembled a police vehicle.

 

Criminal records reveal that Bank has a prior robbery case from October 2024 at Tha Kham Police Station. Ek has a 2015 drug offence, King has both weapons (2020) and drug (2022) charges, while the other suspects have no previous convictions.

 

Despite the gravity of the crimes, officers reported on 3 June that the five suspects in custody appeared cheerful, chatting and singing songs in their holding cell overnight. Police officials, including senior commanders from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, visited the station that morning to monitor the case and promised a full briefing.

 

The hunt for Bank continues, with authorities believing he may still be in the Greater Bangkok area. Police have vowed to leave no stone unturned in bringing him and anyone else who may have aided the gang to justice.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-06-03.

 

 

 

[Briggsy]

Expendables working for somebody much higher up the chain. 

[Yagoda]

I bet the owner of the seized ecigs was trying to get them back