Sa Kaeo – Authorities are intensifying efforts to capture suspects who robbed a gold shop at a well-known mall in Aranyaprathet. Meanwhile, the EOD unit of Border Patrol Police Region 12 discovered four improvised explosive devices at the scene. Investigators are urgently reviewing CCTV footage to track the suspects. It is still unclear whether they exploited natural border gaps to flee the country.
On 27 Aug 2026 GMT+7, reporters provided updates on the robbery at the Yaowarat gold shop inside a department store branch in Aranyaprathet subdistrict, Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, a Thai-Cambodian border area. Initial reports indicate a single suspect committed the crime, using both a firearm and explosives to steal two trays of gold necklaces, each weighing 2 baht, before quickly fleeing the area.
The incident caused alarm and concern among locals because the suspect was well-armed. Notably, this gold shop had been robbed previously, making this the second robbery. Consequently, authorities are meticulously examining evidence and security measures around the vicinity.
After the incident, police from Aranyaprathet station and local security agencies promptly inspected the crime scene. They coordinated with explosive ordnance disposal experts to mitigate any danger to the public and officials.
Most recently, at 13:00 GMT+7, under the command of Acting Police Colonel Pipop Promyok, Commander of Border Patrol Police Region 12, an EOD team led by Lieutenant Anusorn Thawornsill, Deputy Superintendent of Border Patrol Police Region 12, was deployed to assist Aranyaprathet police in investigating and identifying suspicious explosive devices found at the scene.
EOD officers found four improvised explosive devices; two had already detonated while two remained unexploded. Strict safety protocols were followed to render the unexploded bombs safe. The devices were then handed over to Aranyaprathet police investigators to be examined and used as evidence in the case.
Simultaneously, police are intensifying their investigation to apprehend the suspect. They are analyzing CCTV footage from before, during, and after the crime, focusing on the crime scene and escape routes to track the suspect's behavior and gather critical leads.
Later, Mr. Kittisak Meunsri, Deputy Chairman of the Police Commission, accompanied by Mr. Krisana Uampoh, advisor, and a team, traveled to Sa Kaeo province to monitor the situation and case progress personally. Upon learning about the robbery, they planned to bring the issue to a meeting with Sa Kaeo Provincial Police, including topics on illegal immigration and drug suppression along the border.
Mr. Kittisak disclosed that he was attending a meeting in Khok Sung district when he received news of the robbery and immediately went to the area to assess the situation and follow up on the investigation. The case will be brought to a meeting to expedite efforts to track down and prosecute the suspects as soon as possible.
Preliminary information from Mr. Kittisak indicated the suspect was well-prepared, equipped with firearms and explosives, and possibly acted alone. This suggests the perpetrator may have experience or expertise in such crimes. However, these remain hypotheses; the suspect’s identity, nationality, or background is unconfirmed and depends on further investigation and evidence.
Regarding the possibility that the suspect escaped through natural border routes into neighboring countries, Mr. Kittisak said the border area has several natural crossing points. Although authorities maintain continuous patrols, gaps may exist. If the suspect used these routes, they likely had thorough knowledge of the terrain.
Nonetheless, Mr. Kittisak refrained from blaming operational officers, expressing confidence that all agencies enforce laws strictly. The border area involves multifaceted issues including security, economy, and local livelihoods, requiring comprehensive situational assessments.
In this gold robbery case, authorities are urgently reviewing CCTV footage from various routes and collecting evidence at the scene to reconstruct the suspect’s path before, during, and after the crime. The goal is to identify the suspect, escape route, weapons used, and recover the stolen gold.
Mr. Kittisak also expressed confidence in the police and local security agencies’ capabilities, particularly their CCTV systems and inter-agency cooperation. He believes the police are fully capable of tracking down and prosecuting the suspect under the law.