Police Raid Homes of Famed Buddha Amulet Dealer Ton
Police raided the homes of celebrated Bangkok amulet dealer Ton Tong Sukkaen on August 6 after he allegedly defrauded customers by selling counterfeit Zeiss binoculars as limited-edition items, but he fled before officers arrived.
At 10 a.m. on August 6, 2025, police launched raids on the residence and workplace of Ton Tong Sukkaen, known as Ton Bang Khae, a celebrated Buddha amulet dealer, acting on an arrest warrant for fraud charges. Multiple victims had filed complaints, alleging they were duped into purchasing Zeiss Blue Marine binoculars under false pretenses.
According to the allegations, Ton claimed the binoculars were a special limited edition of only 3,175 units and falsely stated he was the first Thai to partner with the German lens manufacturer on a project celebrating the company's 175th anniversary. The marketing emphasized superior lens sharpness and faster focus compared to standard binoculars, driving significant demand. Orders reached nearly 20 million baht within days at a starting price of 15,999 baht per unit.
Despite evidence gathered and a court-approved arrest warrant, the suspect escaped before the raid. Police reportedly left his residence around 11 p.m. on August 5, suggesting he fled ahead of the operation. Investigators are now intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend him for prosecution.
