Thai councillor arrested over failed gold shop robbery

2026-01-25 - 21:06

KORAT — Police in northeastern Thailand have arrested a local municipal councillor over an attempted armed robbery at a gold shop in Nakhon Ratchasima province, authorities said on 25 January 2026. The suspect allegedly tried to rob Phanthong Yaowarat Gold Shop on Nong Prue–Nong Phai Road, opposite Nong Prue Market, around noon on 24 January 2026. Police said the gunman, described as a Thai man wearing a black-and-white helmet, dark jacket and trousers, white gloves and grey trainers, entered the shop carrying a backpack and shoulder bag before drawing a handgun. He threatened staff, saying he only wanted gold and did not intend to hurt anyone, and ordered trays of gold to be handed over, police said. A sales assistant, identified as Namfon Jianmaroeng, 34, kept talking to delay him and then ran to trigger an emergency alarm. The suspect fired one shot at a display wall to intimidate staff and clear an escape route, but fled empty-handed on an automatic motorcycle parked behind the shop. On 25 January 2026, Nakhon Ratchasima city police, joined by regional and provincial investigation units, tracked the escape route through a market and over a wall into a nearby housing estate about 800 metres from the scene. Officers found a motorcycle matching the suspect vehicle at a house in Pho Klang subdistrict. The homeowner, identified as Wichian Sirisathit, 67, a member of the Pho Klang municipal council, raised suspicions during questioning, police said. A review of his mobile phone showed location data placing him in the area at the time of the attempted robbery and matching CCTV footage along the escape route. Police said Wichian confessed to the attempted robbery and to firing a Norinco 213 9mm handgun to threaten the victim, citing heavy debts as his motive.