Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

 

A gold shop robbery at a shopping mall in Samut Prakan on 18 October 2025 caused panic among shoppers after a man threw a ping-pong bomb before attempting to flee with stolen gold worth over one million baht. The incident, which took place around 14:00 at a mall in Bang Sao Thong District, prompted a swift response from local police, who quickly secured the scene. No injuries were reported despite the chaos.

 

The suspect entered the mall moments before the attack, throwing a small improvised explosive device to create confusion. CCTV footage showed him wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt, grey trousers, a black balaclava (not covering his face), and grey-and-white trainers. He leapt over the counter at the gold shop, used a gun to threaten staff and swept gold necklaces from a rear cabinet into a bag before fleeing. Forensic police were called to collect fingerprints and analyse the scene, while officers recovered scattered gold necklaces from a shattered display case.

 

Investigators found that the robber had grabbed 12 gold necklaces weighing two baht each, totalling 24 baht in gold. Witnesses reported that he escaped on a red-and-white Yamaha Zoomer-X motorcycle parked outside the mall. Security guard Mr. Seree, who witnessed the event, said the man “threw a ping-pong bomb, which might have exploded near his own hand,” before storming into the shop. He added that the weapon appeared to be homemade.

 

Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Phumin Singhasut arrived at the scene shortly after the robbery. He confirmed that the suspect acted alone and had taken gold valued at over one million baht. Police deployed investigation teams to review CCTV footage and track the suspect’s escape route. The motorcycle used in the getaway was later found abandoned at a car wash in the same district.

 

Police identified the suspect as Yong, a 31-year-old Cambodian national employed at the car wash where his bike was found. Despite his attempt, the 12 necklaces he tried to steal were later recovered inside the mall, meaning he ultimately escaped empty-handed. Yong’s employer described him as a long-term worker with no prior issues, noting that he had recently expressed an unwillingness to return to Cambodia, saying he had no family left there.

 

Investigators reviewing Yong’s Facebook account discovered posts threatening people who owed him money, along with articles shared about gold shop robberies in southern Thailand. Authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 191 or contact their nearest police station.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A lone gunman threw a small explosive before robbing a gold shop in a Samut Prakan mall.

• The suspect escaped on a motorcycle but ultimately left the gold behind.

• Police have identified the robber as a Cambodian national and expect to arrest him soon.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-19

 

 

 

 

UPDATE
Cambodian Suspect Arrested After Gold Heist & Bomb Attack

 

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Immigration Police have arrested a Cambodian man accused of throwing a ping pong bomb and robbing a gold shop in Samut Prakan before trying to flee across the border. The suspect was captured at the Ban Laem permanent border checkpoint in Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province, on the morning of October 19. Officers intercepted him after receiving intelligence that the man was attempting to escape Thailand following the high-profile robbery.

 

The arrest followed an order from Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, who instructed Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, to investigate the suspect. Immigration officers at Ban Laem Market were alerted to a Cambodian man matching the description of the gold shop robber. Upon inspection, they confirmed his appearance was consistent with that of the assailant involved in the Samut Prakan incident.

 

Earlier, the suspect had launched a daring attack at a major shopping mall in Samut Prakan Province, throwing a ping pong bomb, to clear his path before brandishing a gun and demanding gold. The thief attempted to steal 24 baht-weight of gold ornaments valued at approximately 1.6 million baht. Despite the violent nature of the robbery, he ultimately fled the scene empty-handed.

 

Authorities believe the man fled eastward with the intention of crossing into Cambodia through Chanthaburi. Immigration officers acted swiftly to prevent his escape, detaining him at the border for questioning. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the attempted robbery and the bomb attack.

 

He has since been held at the Ban Laem border checkpoint pending further investigation. Police are preparing to transport him back to Samut Prakan for a crime scene re-enactment as part of the evidence-gathering process. Officers confirmed that legal proceedings will continue in accordance with the law.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A Cambodian suspect was arrested on October 19 at the Ban Laem border while trying to flee after a bomb-assisted gold shop robbery in Samut Prakan.

• The man confessed to the attempted heist, during which he failed to steal any gold despite threatening violence.

• Police are now conducting a detailed investigation and will take the suspect back for a re-enactment before pressing charges.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-10-19

 

 

 

 

Good job, nothing to add!

Good for him. He was even enough crazy to drop or forget the loot when trying to escape. For him it´s No money for robbing and the boys for free for the next upcoming years.

20 hours ago, NativeBob said:

Good job, nothing to add!

Not best plan A

And the security forces.....go online instead of using their guns.............

On 10/19/2025 at 1:33 PM, Gottfrid said:

Good for him. He was even enough crazy to drop or forget the loot when trying to escape. For him it´s No money for robbing and the boys for free for the next upcoming years.

. Maybe someone else is was supposed to pick 

up the loot and it went wrong 

16 hours ago, ujayujay said:

And the security forces.....go online instead of using their guns.............

Never seen mall security with guns.