Armed Robbery Rocks Narathiwat’s Big C Mall
A brazen gold shop robbery shakes Narathiwat, Thailand, on Sunday evening. Eight heavily armed men burst into the Big C shopping centre on Pracha Wiwat Road, making off with gold jewellery worth a staggering 24 million Baht.
The gang storms the mall around 6:30 pm, using two stolen pickups—a Toyota and an Isuzu. According to police, the vehicles are taken earlier that day from two local villagers in Sungai Padi district.
Chaos and Panic as Shots Ring Out
Eyewitnesses describe panic as the masked men open fire inside the mall. “They shot into the air, then rushed the gold shop. Everyone ducked and ran for their lives,” recalls one shopper.
The robbers move quickly, looting the gold shop with chilling precision. The haul, estimated at 24 million Baht, marks one of Thailand’s largest gold heists in recent years.
Soldier Shot During Daring Escape
During the chaos, Staff Sergeant Burit Radachai is shot while shopping in the mall. He is rushed to Sungai Kolok Hospital for treatment. His current condition remains unknown.
The attackers show no hesitation, firing shots to create confusion and clear their escape route.
Professional Getaway with Spiked Traps
The gang’s escape is meticulously planned. They lay spike strips and a suspicious object near a U-turn outside the Big C, slowing down any police pursuit. The robbers then flee in the stolen pickups, gold in tow.
Police launch an immediate manhunt across the border region with Malaysia. Authorities focus on the stolen vehicles, fearing the gang may try to cross into Malaysia.
Security Concerns in Southern Thailand
This violent robbery highlights ongoing security challenges in Thailand’s southern border provinces. Narathiwat, long troubled by unrest, rarely sees such large-scale, organised heists.
Police are now on high alert. All border crossings are under tight surveillance. The stolen gold bars and jewellery are serialised, making them easier to trace if the thieves attempt to sell them.
The search for the armed gang continues, as authorities race to recover the stolen gold and restore calm to Narathiwat.
