Songkhla Provincial Police are rushing to track down a thief who stole a motorcycle and then, acting alone, used a hammer to rob gold from a department store in central Hat Yai, escaping with 33 baht of gold valued at 2.4 million baht.
On the evening of 3 February 2026, a suspect dressed in black, wearing a helmet that concealed his face, entered a department store in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province. He used a hammer to smash a gold display case and took 33 baht of gold bracelets and necklaces valued at 2.4 million baht before fleeing on a red and white Honda Wave 110 motorcycle with Songkhla license plates, which he had stolen.
After the incident, officers from Kho Hong Police Station inspected the scene and found the hammer used to smash the gold case, a helmet resembling a military style, and sandals. The Forensic Science Center 9 took these items to test for DNA to help identify the suspect and serve as evidence.
Regarding the search for the suspect, the investigation team continues to conduct close surveillance in the area of Na Mom district, Songkhla province, where the suspect stole the motorcycle and fled. However, it has been confirmed that the suspect only used a hammer as a weapon during the incident and did not use a gun as previously reported.
A Myanmar construction worker, owner of the stolen motorcycle, revealed that at around 5 p.m. on 3 February, while working on building a pagoda at Mae Pia Temple with five colleagues, they parked the motorcycle with the key left in the ignition. A man dressed in black and wearing a face mask approached, straddled the motorcycle, and appeared to reach for a gun at his waist. No one dared to intervene, and the man then rode off. The owner has already reported the theft to Na Mom Police Station.
After stealing the motorcycle, the suspect rode toward Sai Road through Thung Ri area in Kho Hong subdistrict, a shortcut from Na Mom district to Hat Yai district. Closed-circuit cameras clearly captured this, before the suspect proceeded to commit the solo gold shop robbery.
At the gold shop where the incident occurred, the store remains closed today, but staff continue to work as usual. Investigative police officers are present, gathering additional information about the suspect.
A female staff member recounted that during the incident, the suspect walked straight in, pulled a hammer from his pocket, jumped over the counter, smashed the glass with the hammer, and grabbed the gold from the tray. Some pieces fell and scattered on the floor. Out of fear, the staff fled outside the store.