Two suspects stormed a gold shop in a Chiang Rai province mall, fired one warning shot, then grabbed five trays of gold and fled on a motorcycle, believed to have escaped by boat to a neighboring country.
At approximately 16:15 on 4 August 2026, officers at Chiang Khong Police Station received a report that suspects had used a firearm to rob a gold shop inside a mall branch in Chiang Khong, and coordinated forces to investigate.
Preliminary information from employees at the scene indicated the suspects were two men who arrived on a Honda Scoopy motorcycle, license plate 2 กฐ 1084 Chiang Rai, before committing the robbery. One of the suspects fired a gunshot into the air to intimidate and cause panic among those inside the mall. Then both quickly entered the gold shop, swiftly gathering gold jewelry onto trays before fleeing the area.
Initial reports state the suspects escaped with approximately five trays of gold jewelry. However, the exact quantity and value of the stolen items remain under official investigation.
At the time of the incident, the shop had one counter employee, one staff member standing in front of the store, and one mall security officer present. No injuries have been reported from the incident.
After committing the robbery, the suspects fled immediately on the rented Honda Scoopy motorcycle, license plate 2 กฐ 1084 Chiang Rai. The driver wore a red hooded long-sleeve shirt, while the passenger wore a black hooded long-sleeve shirt. Following the escape route, officers found the motorcycle abandoned at Plabuthong pier along the Mekong River, leading authorities to believe the suspects used a boat to cross the river and flee to a neighboring country.
Authorities have since coordinated with security agencies and officials on the Lao side, as well as other relevant border agencies, to expedite the tracking and arrest of the suspects, thoroughly investigating their escape route.
Additionally, officers inspected the rental shop where the motorcycle was leased and found that the shop initially did not keep renter documents nor had CCTV cameras inside, complicating efforts to track the renter. Police have summoned the rental shop owner to provide information and identify the suspected renter to aid the investigation and bring the suspects to justice.
Police are requesting public cooperation; anyone who sees individuals or motorcycles matching the descriptions, or has useful information about the case, is urged to report to the 191 hotline or the nearest police station. Further details about the stolen property and the incident will be announced after official verification.
