Two Chinese Suspects in Custody for Armed Gold Shop Robbery in Nakhon Ratchasima; Claim They Were Duped Into Coming to Thailand
Two Chinese nationals arrested for an armed gold shop robbery in Nakhon Ratchasima claim they were lured to Thailand under false pretenses to repair drones before resorting to theft when their money ran out.
Two Chinese nationals accused of robbing a gold shop in Chokchai District, Nakhon Ratchasima, are being held for intensive interrogation with plans to file charges this afternoon. According to the April 27 incident, two men wearing black hoodies smashed multiple glass display cases and made off with approximately 30 gold rings valued at around 300,000 baht, escaping in a white Toyota Yaris.
On April 28, Deputy Superintendent Prachaya Nimala of Chokchai Police Station and Deputy Station Commander Asdech Patwimlsilp took custody of suspects Zou Qintao, 27, and Song Haolong, 19, for separate interrogations with a Chinese interpreter present. Both suspects appeared visibly tense, with formal charges to be filed later in the day.
Police recovered 44 patterned gold rings weighing 156.9 grams and 24 pairs of gold earrings (44 pieces) weighing 119 grams, valued at 700,000-800,000 baht. The suspects face charges of armed robbery with weapon use, property damage, and vehicle use in commission of a crime.
During initial investigation, both suspects claimed they were recruited via the internet to come to Thailand to repair drones, with promised wages of 40,000 US dollars per unit (approximately 1,300,000 baht). They rented a vehicle and followed GPS coordinates provided. However, upon reaching the Cambodia border area, they became frightened and did not proceed. After their funds depleted to just 20 baht, they decided to commit the gold shop robbery to raise money. The suspects admitted to selling some gold for 16,800 baht.
Background checks revealed the suspects attempted an earlier robbery at a gold shop in Ban Lueam District on April 26, with one suspect captured on CCTV footage at a convenience store, though that robbery did not occur.
Surasak Jirawongpaisarn, 74, the gold shop owner, thanked police for the swift apprehension and expressed more concern about recovering the gold than the suspects' nationality. Staff remain shaken but he emphasized the need for increased security measures going forward.
