Chonburi, Thailand – September 9th, 2025: At 1:00 PM, Pol. Col. Tatsaphong Kongthap, Chief of Koh Chan Police Station, led the interrogation of 29-year-old suspect Wattanachai Kaewmalai, alias Kit, following his swift arrest for stealing a gold necklace. The incident occurred earlier that morning at the Liyeng Seng Gold Shop in the Koh Chan sub-district of Chonburi province.
The suspect allegedly snatched an approximately 7.5 gram gold necklace valued at 27,000 baht (around $770 USD) from the shop. After the theft, he fled on a black motorcycle toward the Koh Pho intersection but was intercepted by police radio patrol units. During the reenactment of the crime, Wattanachai confessed that his motive was to sell the stolen gold to pay off debts incurred from football gambling.
The shop owner, 60-year-old Nipon Ritdechrat, told The Pattaya News that at around 10:00 AM, the suspect, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and without a helmet, parked his motorcycle outside the shop. Pretending to be a customer, he asked to see several gold items. Seizing a moment when the owner was distracted, Wattanachai grabbed the necklace and fled.
Police have detained the suspect for further investigation and legal proceedings.
