Chiang Mai —
On July 9th, 2024, Mae Ping police and relevant agencies provided an update on the case of a 26-year-old suspect who allegedly robbed a gold store at a famous shopping mall in Mueang Chiang Mai and murdered a ride-hailing driver before being arrested on July 8th.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Nipitphon Somboonsukying (26), committed the robbery at 11:30 AM on July 8th. He later ordered a ride-hailing service and murdered the driver, Mr. Suthep Chainanta, with a firearm from the back seat after asking him to stop the vehicle by a roadside.
Nipitphon then used the stolen car to travel around Chiang Mai, attempting to sell the stolen gold necklaces. He managed to sell only seven out of 32 necklaces (80 baht gold) as some shops refused to purchase large gold items.
He disposed of the victim’s body on a mountainside in Doi Suthep and abandoned the car before walking down a nature trail, Wat Pha Lat, to Chiang Mai City.
On the evening of July 8th, Mueang Chiang Mai investigative police arrested Nipitphon at his residence in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, and recovered the stolen gold necklaces buried in a garden. The suspect was taken to the crime scene to re-enact his actions.
Police revealed that Nipitphon had planned the robbery due to his family’s loss of over 10 million baht in a gold trading scheme five years ago. They seized 25 stolen gold necklaces, while seven others had been sold to gold stores and pawn shops.
Nipitphon had planned to flee, booking an 8 PM flight to Japan on July 8th using money from selling the gold. Initially, the police charged him with robbery using a vehicle, premeditated murder, and carrying firearms.
According to Thai police, Nipitphon allegedly imitated behaviors from movies and video games. He used the victim’s car to commit the robbery and murdered the driver to eliminate witnesses.
The suspect’s mother, whose name was withheld by the police, expressed her shock and sorrow, noting that her son had been a good child but had allegedly struggled with violent video games. She believed he was driven to the crime to repay the family’s financial losses.
Nipitphon will face additional charges and be taken to re-enact the crime before being held for further legal proceedings. The police will continue to investigate and retrieve any remaining stolen items.