Couple Arrested for Gold Shop Heist in Bangkok Mall, Initially Claimed Robbery Was to Fund Religious Ceremony
BANGKOK, Thailand – April 6, 2025 — A husband and wife were arrested for robbing a gold shop inside a shopping mall in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan, stealing 8 baht-weight worth of gold—valued at around 400,000 baht. The couple initially told police the robbery was committed to fund a Kathin robe-offering ceremony, but later admitted they were trying to pay off personal debts.
The suspects, identified as Mr. Peerat and Ms. Orasa, were arrested in Kut Bak Subdistrict, Sakon Nakhon Province on April 3, just a day after the heist.
According to police, the robbery took place on the evening of April 2. Peerat disguised himself as a food delivery driver and entered the gold shop carrying a gun. He snatched two 3-baht gold necklaces and one 2-baht necklace before fleeing the scene.
Meanwhile, Ms. Orasa acted as a decoy, pretending to browse jewelry to distract shop staff. Their coordinated effort was caught on CCTV, which later played a crucial role in identifying them.
Officers also recovered a food delivery uniform Peerat discarded in the Samrong Canal. It was retrieved during a 20-minute underwater search. Additionally, a security guard’s ID card left near the scene further tied the suspects to the crime.
One of the stolen necklaces was later pawned for 86,000 baht in Sakon Nakhon.
Initially, the couple claimed they were fulfilling a religious vow, but later confessed the motive was financial pressure. Police are now warning gold shop owners to stay alert, especially amid a spike in gold prices, and are stepping up security to prevent copycat crimes.
