Investigators from Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station swiftly arrested a freelance housekeeper who stole her employer's gold to pawn for money to play slots, admitting she was addicted to online gambling.
At 14:00 on 25 Jan 2026, Pol. Col. Chayachai Naphathanakan, Superintendent of Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Chalermrit Thaworn, Deputy Chief of Investigation, Pol. Lt. Col. Theeraphan Thobsamai, Investigation Officer, and other officers, arrested Ms. Sangwon Jaethong, 54, from Rattanaburi District, Surin Province. She was apprehended at a rented room in Soi Tiwanon 46, Intersection 1, Tha Sai Subdistrict, Mueang Nonthaburi District. Seized items included a gold necklace with a diamond pendant, a 2-baht gold necklace with a gold amulet, a 1-baht gold necklace, a diamond bracelet, a pawn ticket, and 23,000 baht in cash.
The arrest followed a report at 09:00 on 25 Jan 2026 by Mrs. Kanjaras Buarung, 62, the victim, who informed Pol. Lt. Thitipakorn Khumpan-in, Investigator at Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station, that items had gone missing from the drawer of her dressing table at her home at No. 17, Soi Krungthon 7, Bang Khen Subdistrict, Mueang Nonthaburi District. Missing items included a diamond bracelet worth about 200,000 baht, a gold necklace with diamond pendant worth about 30,000 baht, a 2-baht gold necklace with a Luang Pho To Wat Rakang amulet in a gold frame worth about 150,000 baht (excluding the amulet's value), a 1-baht gold necklace worth about 70,000 baht, a Sukhothai-pattern 1-baht gold necklace valued about 70,000 baht, and a gold Rolex watch frame valued at about 70,000 baht.
The total value of the stolen property was approximately 500,000 baht.
After the incident, investigators inspected the residence but found no signs of forced entry or disturbance. They suspected the thief was someone inside. They learned a housekeeper regularly cleaned there every Saturday. The police traced the housekeeper to her rented room, identified as Ms. Sangwon Jaethong, and upon searching, recovered the stolen items before taking her in for questioning.
During interrogation, Ms. Sangwon Jaethong confessed she worked as a freelance housekeeper cleaning multiple homes. She had worked at the victim's home for 5-6 years and knew where valuables were kept. Acting on impulse, she stole the items and pawned two gold necklaces, receiving 50,000 baht, which she spent, leaving 23,000 baht in cash. She admitted to being addicted to online slot gambling. Other items remained intact. She intended to return the items but feared after the victim called to inquire, so she did not return them until police arrested her with the evidence.
The victim, Mrs. Kanjaras, said she reported the theft after realizing valuables were missing but never suspected the housekeeper she employed. She thanked the police for tracking down the culprit and recovering the property, especially the Phra Somdej Wat Rakang amulet, which she deeply cherishes. Ms. Sangwon apologized to the victim with a respectful gesture.
After the arrest, police forwarded the suspect to investigators at Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station to press charges of theft from an employer or receiving stolen goods.