Pawnshop Officer Arrested in 5 Million Baht Gold Theft

Photo via ThaiRath

A pawnshop officer, Nitiphon Lensin, was arrested on January 9 for allegedly stealing gold worth over 5 million baht from a municipal pawnshop in Trang province. The theft involved more than 200 pieces of gold accessories, discovered missing during an inspection on January 6. The pawnshop has been temporarily closed to facilitate the police investigation.

The case emerged when an officer from the Mueang Trang Municipality Pawnshop reported the missing gold to the police on January 6. An earlier inspection on December 12 showed no discrepancies, indicating that the theft occurred between these two dates. The police investigation revealed no signs of forced entry, leading authorities to focus on internal personnel.

Only two employees were authorized to access the safe, heightening suspicion towards them. As the investigation unfolded, evidence pointed towards Nitiphon, one of the key holders. He confessed to stealing gold items repeatedly, pawning them at other shops, and then redeeming them before the original owners could reclaim them.

Nitiphon claims he stole around 30 items valued at approximately 1 million baht, but police suspect the theft could be more extensive given the number of missing items. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether others were involved and to assess the total value of the stolen gold.

Police have assured locals that the situation is under control and that the pawnshop is conducting a thorough review to ensure the security of other pawned items. The pawnshop is expected to remain closed until January 12 as investigations continue and legal proceedings are addressed, reported The Thaiger.

Key Takeaways

• A pawnshop officer was arrested for allegedly stealing gold worth over 5 million baht.

• Investigations revealed the theft did not involve forced entry, raising suspicions about internal involvement.

• The pawnshop remains closed as police expand inquiries to determine the full extent of the theft.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2026-01-09