The MPB SWAT operation team of Wat Phraya Krai Police Station coordinated a raid to surround, search, and arrest two notorious criminals who broke into the Islamic Bank of Thailand, Charoen Krung Branch, by prying open the door, then attempted to escape by climbing onto the roof of an adjacent coffee shop.
At 04:00 on 2 Sep 2026, Pol. Col. Watit Rojanapaitoon, Superintendent of Wat Phraya Krai Police Station, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Niwat Bunsan, Deputy Superintendent of Crime Suppression, Pol. Lt. Col. Watthorn Wakiertana, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation, Pol. Lt. Col. Apichai Krathumkaew, Patrol Supervisor, and Pol. Lt. Col. Jakpong Phitakkornsakul, Investigation Supervisor, led officers from the investigation, prevention and suppression, traffic divisions, and the MPB SWAT team to surround and search the Islamic Bank of Thailand, Charoen Krung Branch, located on Charoen Krung Road, Bang Kho Laem Subdistrict, Bang Kho Laem District, Bangkok.
Following a report from Mr. Sakrapee Yu Chang, security guard of Secom Company, that at 00:50 on 2 Sep 2026, an alarm was triggered at the company’s control center indicating an intrusion into the bank, officers apprehended two suspects: Mr. Amnuay Ruangphoka, 38, Bangkok resident, and Mr. Sowat Chalita, 47, from Khon Kaen Province. Seized items included over 20 possessions such as bags, cash, amulets, mobile phones, and two motorcycles used in the crime, along with burglary tools including knives, axes, hammers, and others.
This arrest followed a report to Wat Phraya Krai Police Station’s radio center of an unknown male suspect who had ridden a bicycle into the back of the Islamic Bank of Thailand, Charoen Krung Branch. Inside, officers found signs of forced entry through the rear door, with items ransacked and bank property stolen according to the bank's inventory. The two suspects fled by climbing onto the roof of the adjacent TANGIBLE BANGKOK coffee shop on Charoen Krung Road. Officers searched the shop and found the suspects hiding on the first floor, arresting them along with seized evidence and bringing them to Wat Phraya Krai Police Station for questioning.
During initial interrogation, both suspects confessed to attempting to steal from the bank and then climbing into the neighboring coffee shop, where they obtained additional stolen items.
A background check revealed that Mr. Amnuay Ruangphoka, also known as Ruangsopa, has been involved in seven criminal cases and has one outstanding arrest warrant, detailed as follows:
1. Case No. 2375/2007: Possession of Category 1 narcotics with a pure substance amount of 3 grams or more, under Wat Phraya Krai Police jurisdiction. 2. Case No. 417/2008: Escape while detained under court or law enforcement authority, under Pratunam Chula Police jurisdiction, Pathum Thani Province. 3. Case No. 890/2008: Possession of Category 1 narcotics with pure substance of 3 grams or more, Wat Phraya Krai Police jurisdiction. 4. Case No. 895/2008: Nighttime robbery, Wat Phraya Krai Police jurisdiction. 5. Case No. 903/2008: Armed robbery, with at least one perpetrator carrying a weapon, Wat Phraya Krai Police jurisdiction.
6. Case No. 435/2023: Theft, Wat Phraya Krai Police jurisdiction. 7. Case No. 70/2023: Assault causing bodily or psychological harm, Samre Police jurisdiction, and Thonburi Criminal Court Case No. 790/2023 related to case No. 70/2023. The case status in the system shows "warrant withdrawn."
Regarding Mr. Sowat Chalita, his criminal record spans from 2013 to 2025, totaling nine cases. Notably, the Thonburi Criminal Court ruled on 6 Aug 2024 with a warrant expiring 29 May 2039 for charges including theft in public worship places, railway stations, or airports; theft by damaging protective barriers; and theft under Penal Code Sections 334, 335, and 335 bis. He was alleged to have disguised himself as a soldier or police officer or carried firearms, with reason to believe he would flee. His nine cases include:
1. Case No. 28/2013: Operating or organizing illegal gambling. 2. Case No. 393/2014: Violations under the Gambling Act for illegal participation in gambling activities. 3. Case No. 610/2017: Possession of Category 5 narcotics.
4. Case No. 466/2018: Possession of Category 5 narcotics.
5. Case No. 357/2019: Use of Category 1 narcotics.
6. Case No. 221/2021: Illegal football betting. These six cases were handled by Wat Phraya Krai Police.
7. Case No. 370/2024: Offenses involving multiple serious charges, under Bukkhalo Police jurisdiction.
8. Case No. 4/2025: Manufacturing, importing, exporting, selling, or possessing Category 1 narcotics without permission, under Bukkhalo Police jurisdiction.
9. Case No. 448/2025: Use of Category 1, 2, or 5 narcotics or legally controlled substances, under Wat Phraya Krai Police jurisdiction.
Initially, both suspects were handed over to investigators at Wat Phraya Krai Police Station and charged with "joint nighttime residential burglary with weapons or acting in concert with two or more persons, joint nighttime residential theft, and carrying weapons in public or residential areas without valid reasons," proceeding with legal action accordingly.