Police have detained three suspects, on 28 February, over a planned robbery in Pattaya in which more than 2 million baht was stolen from a safe, allegedly using three vehicles to evade capture in a manner likened to the film Fast & Furious. Officers say the group carefully plotted the raid after learning the victim had recently withdrawn the cash to buy a house. One foreign suspect has been taken in for questioning, with two others also under investigation.

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The robbery took place shortly after midnight on 26 February at a house in Chokchai Village 9, Moo 10, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. Three men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas allegedly forced their way into the property and held a 32-year-old British national and his Thai partner and their friends, at knifepoint. The victim, a chef working overseas, had kept more than 2 million baht in a safe inside a wardrobe on the second floor, which the suspects carried away in a black four-door Ford pickup truck.

On 28 February 2026, Pol Col Nattaphon Phongsuksakul, chief of Nong Prue Police Station, Pol Col Phatsakorn Paijit, chief of investigation at Chonburi Provincial Police, Pol Col Naphatsapong Kosit Suriyamanee, chief of Chonburi Immigration, and Pol Lt Col Prabda Suksuntree, superintendent of Tourist Police Division 4, deployed teams to track the suspects. Investigators believe the gang deliberately targeted the victim after learning he had withdrawn 2 million baht in cash. Police reported the offenders share the same nationality as the victim and became acquainted at a cannabis shop in Pattaya.

CCTV footage shows the black Ford pickup used in the robbery driving along the railway road before the victim’s mobile phone was discarded. The vehicle then travelled onto Sukhumvit Road, turning right towards Wat Boonkanjanaram, inJomtien. At 22.57, footage captured the suspects switching to a white car and heading to an apartment in Soi Boonkanjanaram 5, around 8–9 kilometres from the crime scene, where they stayed for a time, allegedly to open the safe and divide the cash.

At 23.33 the same night, another four-door Ford pickup collected the group before heading onto Sukhumvit Road towards Chonburi. Police say the use of three vehicles was intended to mislead officers, drawing comparisons by police, with the film Fast & Furious.

Khoasod reported that one foreign suspect described as a dark-skinned man nearly two metres tall is being questioned at Nong Prue Police Station. Two additional suspects have also been taken into custody for further interrogation, but police have not released further details or at what location they are being held. Further updates will follow as the investigation continues.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Original story

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 1 Mar 2026

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A reminder, don't talk to shady farang, it might give them ideals like these guys

Yes, chatting about buying a house and withdrawing large amounts of cash with fellow countrymen over a doobie is not the wisest approach to life!

The lede is somewhat buried in this case. I'd go with 'Three Brits Held in Safe Heist'.

What is it with the British underclass and Thailand? Clearly it's time to cut their benefits and winter heating subsidies.

no mention of recovering the 2 million baht and where did the money come from - was it earned inside Thailand from bar operations

9 minutes ago, smedly said:

no mention of recovering the 2 million baht and where did the money come from - was it earned inside Thailand from bar operations

Whats the relevance of the origin of the money ?

5 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Whats the relevance of the origin of the money ?

Illegally earned funds is subject to seizure, with the burden of proof on the person to prove that it was clean money.

8 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Illegally earned funds is subject to seizure, with the burden of proof on the person to prove that it was clean money.

Got to admit the "Chef" certainly looks like he partakes in shady dealings...... Surprised he kept the money in the bank to start with!

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The victim, a chef working overseas, had kept more than 2 million baht in a safe inside a wardrobe on the second floor, which the suspects carried away in a black four-door Ford pickup truck.

No need to be carried away in a black four-door Ford pickup truck, 2M baht cash can easily be carried by 1 person.

I have carried 5M baht cash on one occasion, no dramas. 💪

UPDATE

British Man Held in Buriram Over Pattaya Robbery

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

A British national has been arrested in Buriram province in connection with the robbery of 2 million baht from a fellow British man in Pattaya. The suspect, identified only as Michael, was detained at a resort in Prakhon Chai district on 1 March. He denies any involvement and claims he was in the province to visit his girlfriend’s family and attend the MotoGP race in Buriram.

Police from Prakhon Chai, led by Pol Col Wisanu Apornphong, carried out the arrest following an order linked to a warrant issued by Pattaya Provincial Court. The warrant relates to the armed robbery of Wesley Cyril Russell, 32. The incident took place on 26 February 2026 at a property in Chokchai 9 village, house number 189/49, Moo 10, Nong Prue, Chonburi.

According to investigators, three suspects stole a safe containing 2,000,000 baht in cash before fleeing the scene. The arrest follows a directive from Pol Maj Gen Warayut Chan-yiam, commander of Buriram Provincial Police, to intensify checks on foreign nationals due to the province’s proximity to the border and ongoing security monitoring.

During questioning, Michael denied participating in the robbery. He told officers he had travelled to Phlapphla Chai district to visit his girlfriend’s parents and planned to attend the MotoGP event in Buriram. However, officers said they were not convinced by his account.

Immigration officials in Buriram were called to assist in the investigation. Initial checks revealed that Michael’s passport had expired, an offence he admitted. He has been handed over to Bang Lamung Police for further legal proceedings in connection with the robbery case.

Daily News reported that police have not disclosed details regarding the other two suspects. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence linked to the 26 February robbery.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 1 Mar 2026

5 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Whats the relevance of the origin of the money ?

Have you dealt with a Thai bank since June of last year?

Just read the updated news report and the swarthy idiots from the movie 'Snatch' came to mind. I like the bionic leg. How long will he get to keep it in IDC?

22 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

Have you dealt with a Thai bank since June of last year?

Last week I went to my BKK Bank branch to get a new ATM card.

<deleted>s me they have a 5yr lifespan.

UPDATE

Four Brits Arrested Over Pattaya 2m Baht Safe Raid

7 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

...I have carried 5M baht cash on one occasion, no dramas. 💪

I don't doubt it, but probably not in a bulky and heavy safe.

22 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Khoasod reported that one foreign suspect described as a dark-skinned man nearly two metres tall

First rule of armed robbery - always try to be unobtrusive. A two metre burglar is about as much use as a one metre burglar.

What, do you mean these aspiring future Engineers and Scientists are in trouble? Shocking. Enjoy the soup in prison boys.

On 2/28/2026 at 10:11 PM, jacko45k said:

Yes, chatting about buying a house and withdrawing large amounts of cash with fellow countrymen over a doobie is not the wisest approach to life!

Wise words- discretion and keeping a low profile makes a lot of sense really

Not a great idea to switch cars in an area that has CCTV overlooking it.

The usual police presentation is the suspect or suspects sitting at a table facing the camera with face(s) obscured with a sheet of paper. But, that's the first time I have seen a photograph with the suspect under the table with a hand holding the the paper and fingers giving a V sign.😀

Troll post with implied racism removed @Scouse123

On 3/1/2026 at 3:11 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

No need to be carried away in a black four-door Ford pickup truck, 2M baht cash can easily be carried by 1 person

A approx. 2ft x 2ft safe is between 80-100kgs. Whilst not super heavy for 2 guys it's very akward to carry, 2M cash only is, of course, not heavy.

On 3/1/2026 at 5:23 PM, Puccini said:

I don't doubt it, but probably not in a bulky and heavy safe.

From the heist video, it was neither bulky nor heavy. Looked like one of those slim line room safes that hotels offer their guests, same as mine. Obviously not bolted down either, same as mine.

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Obviously not bolted down either, same as mine.

Ill need your current address to verify this claim 😅

18 hours ago, PJ71 said:

A approx. 2ft x 2ft safe is between 80-100kgs. Whilst not super heavy for 2 guys it's very akward to carry, 2M cash only is, of course, not heavy.

The money was removed from the safe.

8 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

The money was removed from the safe.

yes, my bad.