Picture courtesy of Daily News

Police in Sa Kaeo are searching for a man accused of robbing a gold shop inside a shopping centre in Aranyaprathet district shortly after midday on 27 August.

The suspect allegedly threw an object resembling a bomb into the shop, threatened staff with a firearm and escaped with around two trays of gold. Police have not yet established the weight of the gold or the value of the losses.

The robbery was reported at about 12.30pm at the Aranyaprathet branch of a department store. Aranyaprathet is a major border town near Cambodia, used by many travellers and foreign residents moving through the eastern region.

Suspect fled by motorcycle

Initial police information described the suspect as a man wearing a cap, a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. He was said to have left on a motorcycle, heading towards Aranyaprathet town.

In a later update at 1pm, Pol Col Jaturaphat Singhasthit, deputy commander of Sa Kaeo Provincial Police, described the suspect as tall and slim, wearing a black-and-white checked shirt and jeans, with his face fully covered by cloth.

He said the man had approached the shop calmly before throwing the bomb-like object inside. Terrified gold shop employees dropped to the floor for safety, he said.

The suspect then allegedly jumped over the counter, drew a firearm and used it to smash the display cabinets. He reportedly took a large quantity of gold necklaces before leaving through the rear entrance of the shopping centre.

CCTV and escape route under review

Pol Col Damrong Iampaorot, superintendent of the Sa Kaeo Provincial Police investigation division, led provincial investigators to the scene after the report.

Pol Col Jaturaphat and investigation officers later inspected the shop and continued checking the suspected escape route. Police are gathering evidence at the scene and reviewing CCTV footage in an effort to identify the suspect and trace his movements.

Officers have also asked members of the public to watch for the wanted man and provide information that may assist the investigation. Authorities said they are working to identify, locate and arrest him as quickly as possible.

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28 August 2026

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The price of Gold going up and the criminals thinking they can make an easy score and clean get away.

They will be adding the Big C Khao Yai gold shop suspect to the list if they haven't already located them. Buying some KFC and Police were there. Someone had a nice picture of that person and motorbike also.

Edited August 28Aug 28 by J Branche

I completely understand why it must be tempting for poor people in debt, to rob an unprotected gold shop flashing their wealth.

I'll never understand the mindset of those robbing gold shops here, knowing full well there are cameras everywhere, and unless they stole the scooter, can be followed right to their home or home of a relative. Understand desperation for cash, but think of what will always happen afterwards.

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

I'll never understand the mindset of those robbing gold shops here, knowing full well there are cameras everywhere, and unless they stole the scooter, can be followed right to their home or home of a relative. Understand desperation for cash, but think of what will always happen afterwards.

Possibly a Cambodian. Close to the border, .... back to Cambodia./

UPDATE

Aranyaprathet mall gold robbery suspect caught