Claiming to be at a dead end, a lone suspect stormed in and poured oil on the "bank manager" threatening to take 5 million baht in cash. Ultimately, he was overwhelmed by good Samaritans and confessed to acting out of unemployment and lack of money.
On 16 Feb 2026, Police Lieutenant Patthakorn Chainoi, an investigator at Bang Phli Police Station, received a report from the Bang Phli radio center about a suspect entering a bank inside a department store in Bang Phli Yai Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province, pouring oil on the manager and demanding 5 million baht.
At the scene, Mr. Suthidon Paengsrisarn, 48, wearing a blue jacket, white T-shirt underneath, and blue jeans, was held by citizens and foot patrol police at the food court parking area. He had multiple swollen wounds on his face and bleeding from his nose. Volunteers from Ruamkatanyu Foundation provided first aid and took him to Bang Phli Hospital for medical treatment, with police officers escorting him.
Ms. Aree Yamapai, 58, the bank manager, revealed that the suspect demanded 5 million baht, but she refused. The suspect then took a small bottle containing an unknown type of oil and splashed it on the manager, locking his arm behind her neck. Using quick thinking, the manager shook off his grip on her jacket and ran out of the bank. Seeing this, the public came to her aid. The suspect fled, but was pursued and caught by citizens, bank staff, and foot patrol police.
Mr. Adison Anusan, a determined student and one of the good Samaritans who helped apprehend the suspect, said he was on his way home when a delivery rider told him the suspect had poured oil on someone inside the bank. As the suspect was fleeing through the door, Adison ran and kicked him until he lost consciousness. He heard the suspect say he came from Chonburi, was out of money, and only intended to threaten.
Mr. Suthidon Paengsrisarn, 48, confessed initially to Police Colonel Phairoj Phetploy, Chief of Bang Phli Police Station, that he rode a motorcycle from Chonburi to commit the crime. He said he was unemployed and had no money, so he bought oil intending to threaten for money. However, he did not act further because the manager resisted, so he was afraid. He will provide more details in court.
Police Colonel Phairoj Phetploy, Chief of Bang Phli Police Station, stated that the suspect entered the bank holding a bottle filled with gasoline and poured it on the bank manager, then ordered the manager to stay still and demanded 5 million baht from the staff. The suspect grabbed the manager’s long coat sleeve, but the manager cleverly tried to walk out of the bank and, when the suspect was distracted, twisted free from the coat. Bank employees and a male staff member from DIY jumped in to punch and kick the suspect, forcing him to flee through the mall entrance, where good Samaritans captured him.
Upon checking his background at his home in Ban Bueng, no abnormal behavior was found, though he has a prior assault case. For today’s offense, holding the manager against their will likely qualifies as unlawful confinement, and demanding money may constitute extortion. Whether it counts as attempted bank robbery requires further investigation. Since a scuffle occurred during his capture causing a nose injury, he was sent to Bang Phli Hospital but remains under police custody.
When asked about his motive, he declined to give a statement during the investigation and cited PDPA law, suggesting possible abnormality. Given the current high gold prices and the suspect’s apparent need for money, police usually have preventive measures for banks and gold shops. This mall has foot patrols for security, and the bank is connected to the police station’s alarm system. Further meetings and drills will be held to enhance preparedness.