A suspect in the 26-baht gold robbery in Khon Kaen has been arrested. The getaway motorcycle was found dumped in a pond, and the stolen gold was concealed inside a steel pillar in the middle of the suspect's home. The suspect claimed cash flow problems due to unregulated debts.
On 21 Feb 2026, reporters:Updates on the case where a lone assailant robbed a gold shop in Ban Thum Subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen Province, stealing gold necklaces totaling 26 baht in weight, valued over 1.9 million baht. The incident occurred at 14:07 on 15 February 2026. Authorities have now apprehended the suspect.
The arrest operation was led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Nopakao Somnat, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 4; Pol. Maj. Gen. Phumipat Patarsriwongchai, Commander of the Investigation Division of Provincial Police Region 4; Pol. Col. Nat Homphut, Special Operations Superintendent of the Investigation Division of Provincial Police Region 4; Pol. Col. Preecha Kengsarikij, Deputy Commander of Khon Kaen Provincial Police; along with investigators from Provincial Police Region 4 and the Crime Suppression Division. They detained Mr. Chonlatip, also known as Kae, 48, from Laoponthong Village, Ban Wa Subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen District, as per the arrest warrant.
Investigations revealed that the suspect stole 11 gold necklaces weighing a total of 26 baht, then fled riding a gray-black Honda Wave 110i motorcycle. After the incident, authorities intensified efforts to trace the escape route, gathering circumstantial and witness evidence until identifying the suspect as Mr. Chonlatip, who was captured within six days of the crime.
At the time of arrest, the suspect was cleaning a noodle shop in Ban Wa Subdistrict in preparation for opening. He initially denied involvement but later confessed under evidence pressure and agreed to lead officers to search his home in Ban Wa, Mueang Khon Kaen. He pointed out where all the stolen gold necklaces were hidden inside a 4x4 inch steel square pillar in the house. Officers had to cut open the base of the pillar with an electric grinder, revealing the gold necklaces compressed inside with rice straw. The items were seized as evidence amid a crowd of onlookers.
Subsequently, the suspect led authorities to the location where he discarded the bronze-black Honda Wave motorcycle used during the robbery. It was dumped in a pond in a rice field area of Ban Wa Subdistrict, about 10 kilometers from his home. Officers coordinated with divers from the Sawang Samakkhi Uthit Rescue Foundation to retrieve the motorcycle successfully. The suspect claimed he burned the clothes worn during the crime. Authorities will also expand the investigation to locate where the metal hook used to snatch the gold was discarded.
According to the arresting team, the suspect originally came from another area before moving to marry and start a family in Laoponthong Village, Ban Wa Subdistrict. He has children with his wife but later separated, taking sole responsibility for raising the children while working as a noodle seller locally. He faced significant debt from unregulated loans and cash flow problems, which led him to commit the robbery.
Authorities will conduct a thorough investigation and plan to hold an official press conference on the case progress later this morning (21 Feb 2026).
