A masked individual, approximately 30 years of age, perpetrated a brazen robbery. Employing an automatic weapon, he executed a swift heist at the Mae Jarin Gold Shop 4 in Ban Chang District, Rayong Province. The thief absconded with four gold necklaces, each weighing a baht, and 15,000 baht in cash—a total of approximately 130,000 baht. This audacious crime transpired on December 28, 2021.
In the wake of this incident, Police General Suwat Chaengyodsuk, the national police chief, directed Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saeng, Commander of Police Region 2; Police Major General Itthiporn Phothong, deputy police chief of Police Region 2; Police Major General Thiradet Thammasutee, Police Region 2 Commander; and Police Major General Wara Wechapinan, Rayong Provincial Police Commander, to lead a comprehensive investigation. This high-profile case demanded swift action due to its serious nature and public alarm.
By 11:30 p.m. on December 30, 2021, law enforcement officers from Police Region 2 and Bueng Kan Province apprehended Noppakhun Piromyu, a 34-year-old from Nakhon Ratchasima. Acting on a warrant issued by the Rayong Provincial Court (No. 283/2564, dated December 29, 2021), they located the suspect at his residence in Wisit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Bueng Kan Province. Seized during the apprehension were 4,800 baht (from the stolen 15,000 baht), a white Chevrolet pickup truck (license plate 4683, Rayong), and a white and blue Yamaha Mio125i motorcycle (license plate Khong 365, Rayong)—the latter used in the robbery.
Investigators collaborated to hunt down the perpetrator. A breakthrough arrived with the discovery of the criminal’s motorcycle license plate on CCTV footage. The plate belonged to a white and blue Yamaha, registration number Khong 365 Rayong (item 3), a vehicle registered to Miss Pornprachak (surname withheld), related to Mr. Nopphakun’s spouse. This revealed Mr. Nopphakun as the driver on the day of the incident. He subsequently parked the car at a Rayong dormitory before fleeing in a white Chevrolet pickup truck.
Law enforcement compiled evidence, obtaining a warrant for the suspect’s apprehension. Working together, officers pursued Mr. Noppakun, eventually locating him at a residence. A pickup truck was found at the scene, leading to the suspect’s arrest. He was transferred to Ban Chang Police Station for further legal processing.
During questioning, Mr. Noppakun confessed to the robbery, detailing his use of a modified .38 caliber pistol (obtained online). He discarded the weapon along his escape route after receiving a phone call from his wife alerting him to the police investigation. Fear of detection prompted this action. Of the 15,000 baht stolen, only 4,800 baht remained by the time of his apprehension. He stated the crime stemmed from a need to settle a colleague’s debt, pay off gambling debts, and fund his upcoming ordination ceremony in Korat.
Police Major General Theeradej Thammasutee, Commander-in-Chief of Police Station 2 described the case as egregious, involving armed robbery of a gold shop. The swift apprehension of the culprit was attributed to CCTV footage analyzed under the Smart Safety Zone 4.0 initiative, a project championed by Police Lieutenant General Suwat Chaengyodsuk, the police chief, and Police Lieutenant General Thiti Sawang, commander of Police 2. The combined efforts of multiple police units led to the arrest. The commander concluded with a cautionary reminder against criminal activity, emphasizing the inevitability of capture and consequences.
Rayong Gold Robbery Solved: Swift Arrest Highlights Thai Police Efficiency
The brazen robbery of Mae Jarin Gold Shop 4 in Rayong Province on December 28th, 2021, sent shockwaves through the community. A masked individual, wielding an automatic weapon, made off with four gold necklaces (one baht each) and 15,000 baht in cash – a total haul of approximately 130,000 baht. The audacious nature of the crime, coupled with the use of a firearm, understandably sparked public alarm and demanded a swift police response.
The response was, indeed, swift. National Police Chief General Suwat Chaengyodsuk immediately mobilized a high-level investigative team, assigning key personnel from Police Region 2 to crack the case. This high-profile deployment underscored the seriousness with which the authorities treated the incident. The pressure was on.
And the pressure clearly worked. Within just two days, on December 30th, Police Region 2 and Bueng Kan Provincial police apprehended the suspect, 34-year-old Noppakhun Piromyu of Nakhon Ratchasima. The arrest, executed at his residence in Bueng Kan Province, was based on a warrant issued by the Rayong Provincial Court.
The arrest wasn’t a matter of luck; it was a testament to effective police work. Investigators cleverly used CCTV footage to identify the suspect’s motorcycle, a white and blue Yamaha Mio125i. Tracing the registration back to a relative of the suspect’s wife provided the crucial link needed to pinpoint Noppakhun as the perpetrator. The recovery of 4,800 baht of the stolen cash, the getaway motorcycle, and a white Chevrolet pickup truck further solidified the case against him.
A Case Study in Effective Law Enforcement:
This case offers a valuable insight into the capabilities of Thai law enforcement. The speed and efficiency of the investigation, from the initial high-level response to the rapid apprehension of the suspect, are commendable. The intelligent use of readily available technology, such as CCTV footage, highlights the importance of modern investigative techniques. The collaboration between different police units, across provinces, underscores the strength of coordinated law enforcement efforts.
While the motive behind the robbery remains to be fully clarified – initial reports may suggest a need for money to prepare for ordination – the swift resolution of this case serves as a positive example of timely justice. It sends a clear message that such crimes will not go unpunished and reinforces public confidence in the capacity of the Thai police force to effectively address serious criminal activity. The full story may unveil further details, but for now, the closure of this case is a reassuring sign for the people of Rayong.
