PATTAYA– A calm-looking man walked into a gold shop inside a Pattaya shopping mall on Friday evening, tried on a gold necklace, and casually walked out with it after quietly telling the employee, “Don’t make any noise. I don’t want to kill anyone. I just need the money to pay off my football gambling debt.” Police have now reviewed CCTV and are hunting for the suspect.
Update: The suspect has been caught, learn more here.
The incident took place at approximately 7:36 p.m. on July 17th, 2026, at Yaowarat Bangkok Gold shop on the second floor of a department store in the Na Kluea subdistrict.
The 22-year-old saleswoman, Miss Wunsen, told police the suspect first asked to try on a 3-baht necklace before returning it. He then selected a 2-baht chain (valued at more than 120,000 baht), put it on, issued the low-key threat, and left the shop. He broke into a run only after reaching the mall’s main area. The employee immediately activated the alarm.
The man, described as thin and tall with dark skin and believed to be Thai, left behind a national ID card, though police have not confirmed it belongs to him.
By 12:36 a.m. on July 18th, police had obtained sharp CCTV images from the gold shop showing the entire sequence. The suspect appears to be a Thai man aged approximately 30–40, wearing a black T-shirt and long trousers. He behaved naturally, as if casually chatting with staff, before putting on the necklace and walking away with a composed expression.
Pol. Lt. Col. Anek Srathongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, together with Pol. Lt. Col. Siriwat Katchamat and Pol. Lt. Col. Arus Sabanon, have mobilized investigation teams. Officers are cross-checking the ID card left at the scene, reviewing extensive CCTV footage from inside and outside the mall, and pursuing multiple leads.
“We are working full speed and believe there will be good news very soon,” Pol. Lt. Col. Anek said. He appealed to the public for any information about the suspect.
Anyone with clues is urged to contact Pattaya City Police Station or nearby officers immediately, 24 hours a day.
No arrests have been made so far, but police say they are closing in on the suspect.
