The Metropolitan Police Chief announced the closure of the case involving 'Tiw,' known as the 'Straw Hat' robber who imitated a movie by wearing a wig to raid and rob gold weighing 198 baht. He confessed to selling the gold to gamble across the neighboring border, losing half a million baht, and buying big motorcycles. He was recently released from prison in 2025, showed no initial remorse but later admitted guilt, claiming he could not find work and had a leg burned by oil.
At 12:45 p.m. on 20 Feb 2026 at Phra Khanong Police Station, Pol. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Bureau, together with Pol. Gen. Nopasil Poolsawat, Chief of Staff at the Royal Thai Police Office assigned to the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Pallop Aermla, Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat Luangwilai, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Investigation Division, Pol. Maj. Gen. Witawat Chinkham, Commander of Police Division 5, and Pol. Col. Ruthee Pandam, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Investigation Division, along with the Metropolitan Police Investigation Unit from Division 5 and Phra Khanong Police Station,
jointly held a press conference on the arrest of Mr. Jalo Kueikaew, or Tiw, age 29, under an arrest warrant from the Phra Khanong Criminal Court on charges of robbery at night by breaking through barriers protecting persons or property, using a weapon, and using a vehicle to facilitate the commission of the crime or the removal of property. The suspect committed the robbery alone by threatening with a firearm, pouring gasoline, and stealing gold weighing about 198 baht and cash of 170,000 baht from Aurora Gold Shop inside a department store branch on Sukhumvit 50, Phra Khanong subdistrict, Khlong Toei district, Bangkok, on the night of 30 Jan. He was arrested on 19 Feb at the Black-Clad Man Pavilion at Mae Suai Dam, Mae Suai district, Chiang Rai province.
Reporters noted that while police escorted Mr. Jalo or Tiw for questioning, he was heavily guarded by the Special Operations Unit (SOU) of Division 5, armed for protection. When reporters asked if the friend to whom he entrusted selling the gold across the Myanmar border was real, Mr. Jalo said, "Yes, he is real." When asked if he had planned everything carefully, he replied, "No," before being taken to the chief inspector's office at Phra Khanong Police Station for further questioning by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
Pol. Gen. Siam disclosed that after the incident, the Metropolitan Police Bureau ordered the investigation team to urgently track the suspect closely, mobilizing considerable manpower and investigative resources. This was because the suspect had planned the crime well in advance, such as stealing a motorcycle for use as a getaway vehicle since the New Year festival. He also concealed his face and changed his travel routes to evade police pursuit.
Investigation revealed that on 29 Jan, the suspect scouted the gold shop inside the department store at around 7 p.m. but did not commit the crime. On 30 Jan, he returned and wandered inside the mall for a long time before deciding to act at about 11 p.m., choosing that time because there were few people. He then fled on a motorcycle, attempting to obscure his route and dumped the motorcycle into a canal in Pattanakarn Soi 10 to destroy evidence.
On 1 Feb, the suspect took the train to Chiang Mai province, carrying the stolen gold with him. He stayed there until 4 Feb before traveling to Mae Suai district, Chiang Rai. Authorities found the gold bore the shop's trademark, making it unsellable domestically. The suspect contacted a friend at the neighboring country's border to sell the gold, agreeing to receive 200,000 baht in advance and arranged to deliver the gold on 7 Mar. Investigators continued tracking his escape route until they identified and arrested him in Mae Suai, then obtained an arrest warrant following legal procedures.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted to acting alone, citing motivation from wanting money to buy a big motorcycle due to personal preference and gambling habits. He also revealed a history of multiple imprisonments, most recently released in Oct 2025 after serving five years in Chiang Mai. After release, he went to Bangkok and stole motorcycles in several areas to use for the crime.
Pol. Gen. Nopasil said the suspect confessed he met a friend of the same ethnic tribe living across the neighboring country. After meeting, they discussed that the gold bore the shop's trademark, making it unsellable in Thailand. He told the friend this because he had been imprisoned twice before and heard from inmates that having family sell stolen gold would be considered receiving stolen property. Thus, he entrusted his friend to sell it, receiving the first payment of 200,000 baht and planned to deliver more money on 7 Mar.
After receiving the initial 200,000 baht, Mr. Tiw crossed to the neighboring country to gamble, where a friend named Dew exchanged 700,000 baht worth of chips for him to use. He lost more than 500,000 baht gambling and returned with over 100,000 baht in chips, leaving him with a capital of over 300,000 baht. This occurred under the belief that since the gold could not be sold in Thailand, selling it abroad would yield some money.
Based on all statements, investigators verified by having the suspect point out where he met Mr. Dew and are checking the truthfulness. The border area is not an official border checkpoint but a natural crossing adjacent to the neighboring country. Authorities do not fully trust all of Mr. Tiw's statements.
Pol. Gen. Nopasil added that after retaining over 300,000 baht and the 160,000 baht cash from the gold shop, totaling nearly 500,000 baht, Mr. Tiw bought a secondhand Forza motorcycle for a friend for 100,000 baht and on 14 Feb purchased another motorcycle for 190,000 baht. The remaining money was spent on living and entertainment while on the run. His direction and travel routes support the credibility of his account.
Mr. Jalo further stated he chose the department store because he was familiar with the area, having lived and worked there before. He knew the entrances, exits, and environment well.
Pol. Gen. Nopasil said that before committing the crime, the suspect considered another gold shop in the same mall but found it unsuitable because the shop had secured its valuables and many people were present. At about 11:30 p.m., noticing fewer customers and nearing closing time at the targeted shop, he decided to act. Mr. Tiw followed news of the investigation closely and fled to the neighboring country, returning covertly when media attention subsided.
Pol. Gen. Nopasil added that the suspect expressed remorse, admitting two prior imprisonments and repeated offenses motivated by financial need and gambling addiction. He apologized to society and stressed that no one should emulate his actions since police can ultimately apprehend offenders.
Authorities will expedite recovery of the sold assets and pursue legal action against accomplices according to law.
The suspect, Mr. Jalo, apologized for the incident, acknowledging that multiple life problems influenced his decision to commit the crime. He warned others against similar offenses, stating that one cannot escape justice; regardless of where one flees, they will be caught and prosecuted. Especially as a Thai citizen, even fleeing abroad cannot provide a sustainable life, and eventually, one must face punishment.
Mr. Jalo also said prison life offers no future despite educational programs; many inmates show little interest. He emphasized that working honestly, though difficult, allows living with family and is better than returning to prison.
Regarding his motive, Mr. Jalo said he wanted a motorcycle and planned to sell the gold across the border, believing it easier and trusting a friend of the same ethnic group. However, he admitted he was afraid to sell it himself, fearing arrest.
When asked if he considered himself skilled and unrepentant, Mr. Jalo said no, but reasoned that holding or selling the gold risked arrest anyway. He chose to act, hoping to gain some benefit, claiming he had no choice and difficulty finding work due to a leg injury from an oil burn.
Regarding disguise, Mr. Jalo said he got the idea from a movie he watched and believed it would work. The wig he used was taken from beneath a Bodhi tree, where people leave items as offerings to sacred spirits.
He confirmed he acted alone without accomplices and did not count the gold, learning the quantity later from news reports. He concluded by expressing remorse and acknowledging his prior imprisonments.
Initially, investigators took the suspect to reenact the crime scene at the gold shop and the locations where he disposed of the fake gun and the motorcycle used, near the canal bridge in Pattanakarn subdistrict, Prawet district, Bangkok, to support the case before presenting him for detention at Phra Khanong Criminal Court on 21 Feb.