Chiang Rai Gold Robbers Escape Across the Lao Border

Chiang Rai Gold Robbers Escape Across the Lao Border

Two armed robbery suspects reportedly fled into Laos after stealing gold jewellery worth approximately 13 million baht from a shop in Chiang Rai. One man threatened employees and customers with a firearm while his accomplice jumped over the counter and loaded necklaces and bracelets into a bag. The pair escaped on a motorcycle, abandoned it near the Mekong River and are believed to have crossed the border by ferry. Police identified one suspect as 28-year-old Lao national Thao Pornprasit Khamtit, while the motorcycle rental business admitted that it had collected neither identification nor a rental contract. Thai authorities are working with Lao officials and have offered a 100,000-baht reward for information leading to the suspects’ arrests.