Trang: A major case has concluded with the arrest of the ringleader responsible for robbing the home of the President of the Southern Federation of Thai Industries. The suspect fled to Koh Lanta and used the stolen money to purchase a speedboat, only to be swept ashore and apprehended on the coast of Sikao. A significant amount of evidence has been recovered.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage from the incident, which occurred at 4:22 a.m. on October 1, 2025, captured two suspects with their faces concealed, scaling the fence of the property in Village No. 4, Na Mueang Phet Subdistrict, Sikao District, Trang Province. The house, belonging to Mr. Adisorn, President of the Southern Federation of Thai Industries, was targeted while unoccupied. The suspects absconded with a safe containing over 2.8 million baht in cash, a valuable 1954 Luang Pu Thuat amulet, gold jewelry, luxury watches, and other assets totaling more than 10 million baht. Following the incident, authorities arrested Mr. Nuchpong, also known as On, recovering 750,000 baht in cash and the motorcycle used in the crime. However, the ringleader managed to evade capture initially.
Trang Provincial Police have now apprehended the ringleader, 41-year-old Sarawut, also known as A, after he hid on Koh Lanta in Krabi Province for 22 days. Under mounting pressure, he spent 99,000 baht to acquire a speedboat for his escape, but was driven ashore by waves in Sikao District, Trang Province, where he was found in a destitute state.
The search revealed 33,000 baht in cash, a diamond-encrusted sapphire ring valued at 500,000 baht, gold necklaces, Buddha amulets, and gold frames for the amulets, some of which were missing the amulets. Authorities also discovered 100 methamphetamine pills.
During interrogation, Mr. A admitted to dividing the money with Mr. On, each receiving 1 million baht, along with a portion of the gold and amulets. He suggested that some of the money might have been lost at sea during the escape. Expressing “remorse,” he revealed he had been without food for two days. A background check indicated Mr. A had five outstanding warrants, including drug-related offenses, and a history of incarceration. He confessed to using methamphetamine the day before his arrest, consuming over five pills daily. He now faces charges of “nighttime trespassing and nighttime theft.” Authorities are continuing their investigation to recover the remaining assets and plan to hold a press conference later today.