Pattaya Gold Shop Robbery: Suspect Flees Leaving ID Card Behind

PATTAYA, Thailand – Police are investigating a jewelry store theft in Pattaya where a suspect allegedly posed as a customer, stole a 2-baht gold necklace, and fled, leaving behind what appeared to be an identification card. The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m. on July 17 at Bangkok Golds, located inside Lotus North Pattaya. According to police, the suspect entered the store dressed in a black cap, black T-shirt, black jeans, and white sneakers. He asked to examine and try on a 2-baht dragon-bone pattern gold necklace, acting like a genuine customer. While wearing the necklace, he reportedly told staff not to make any noise and claimed he would return the jewelry within 30 minutes. To seemingly reassure employees, he left behind what appeared to be a Thai national identification card before walking out of the store with the necklace. Upon realizing the suspect had no intention of returning, store staff alerted the police. Investigators are now working to determine whether the identification card left behind belongs to the suspect or was stolen or forged. Police have also launched a review of CCTV footage from inside the shopping mall and along possible escape routes, while interviewing store employees and witnesses to identify and locate the suspect. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the suspect used a vehicle to flee, and the investigation remains ongoing. While the value of the stolen necklace is relatively modest in the context of jewelry store heists, the unusual tactic of leaving behind an apparent ID card could significantly aid the investigation.