Chinese Tourists Held After 300,000-Baht Gold Heist in Korat

Chinese Tourists Held After 300,000-Baht Gold Heist in Korat

BANGKOK, April 27 — Thai police have arrested two Chinese tourists accused of robbing a gold shop in northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province and stealing rings worth about 300,000 baht ($8,000), authorities said on Monday.

The two suspects were detained later the same day in Bangkok after investigators traced a rental car believed to have been used in the getaway. Officers said the stolen gold items were recovered.

Police identified the men as Zou Qintao, 27, from Guangdong province, and Song Haolong, 19, from Sichuan province.

The robbery took place at about 10:10 a.m. in Chok Chai district, where two masked men entered the shop while two female employees were inside. Staff fled to a back room after seeing the intruders, police said.

Unable to access gold necklaces secured behind protective grills, the suspects allegedly used a hammer to smash a display cabinet and seize gold rings before fleeing in a white Toyota Yaris sedan without visible licence plates.

Authorities said the raid lasted about 30 seconds and prompted a nationwide police alert.

Investigators later tracked the vehicle to a rental company in Bangkok, leading officers to the suspects in the capital’s Prawet district.

No firearm was recovered. Police said the suspects allegedly told investigators the weapon had been discarded while escaping.

Initial inquiries indicated both men entered Thailand as tourists. Police said financial difficulties may have motivated the robbery.

Investigators from Nakhon Ratchasima were travelling to Bangkok to take custody of the suspects for further questioning and prosecution.