Narathiwat –
A coordinated armed robbery rocked the border town of Su-ngai Kolok on Sunday evening (October 5th) when a group of approximately ten masked assailants stormed a gold shop inside a busy shopping mall, making off with an estimated 400 baht-weight of gold jewelry. The value is being estimated at about 24 million baht. The brazen attack left two people injured and triggered a series of security alerts across the region.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. at the Big C Supercenter in Su-ngai Kolok district, Narathiwat province. Witnesses reported that the attackers, dressed in black and armed with unidentified weapons, arrived in two pickup trucks—an Isuzu D-Max and a Toyota Vigo—before swiftly entering the mall through Gate 1.
Once inside, the gang subdued the mall’s security guard, confiscated his radio, and proceeded to rob the Yaowarat Bangkok gold shop. Surveillance footage revealed one assailant leaping onto the display counter while staff were cleaning, forcing them to surrender the gold at gunpoint.
During the escape, the assailants fired at a passing military officer, Private First Class Burinsuan Radachai, who sustained gunshot wounds to his shoulder, leg, and cheek. Another civilian, identified as 30-year-old Jeerasak Pornni, was taken hostage and later released unharmed but in shock.
The gang fled toward the neighboring Su-ngai Padi district, scattering tire-puncturing spikes and placing two suspicious gas canisters along the route—one near the Big C U-turn and another at Orkarn intersection. These devices caused damage to multiple civilian vehicles and caused authorities to seal off both entry and exit points for bomb disposal and cleanup operations.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., a loud explosion was reported near a mosque intersection about 500 meters from the mall. No injuries were reported, but the blast heightened concerns that the attackers were attempting to divert security forces and delay pursuit.
Later that evening, local officials received reports of two pickup trucks being hijacked from residents in Su-ngai Padi—vehicles matching the description of those used in the robbery. Authorities believe these were used to facilitate the gang’s escape.
Security forces are now analyzing CCTV footage and gathering witness testimony to identify the perpetrators. The injured officer was rushed to Su-ngai Kolok Hospital for emergency treatment, while bomb squads continue to sweep affected areas.
The incident marks one of the most audacious gold heists in the region in recent years and has raised renewed concerns over public safety and insurgent tactics in Thailand’s southern border provinces.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
