NARATHIWAT – Eight armed suspects carried out a brazen robbery at a gold shop inside Big C shopping center in Su-ngai Kolok district, Narathiwat province, on Sunday evening, injuring one security officer. Two explosions were reported following the incident.
The robbery occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. on October 5, 2025, when the armed gang stormed Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop located within the Big C shopping complex in Su-ngai Kolok district.
According to preliminary reports, numerous shoppers and employees were inside the mall when the incident unfolded, causing widespread panic throughout the premises. The suspects made off with an undetermined quantity of gold before fleeing the scene rapidly.
During the robbery, gunfire erupted inside the shopping center, resulting in injuries to Sergeant Burisorn Radachai, a light weapons specialist from the 408th Border Patrol Police operational unit. The officer, who was shopping for supplies to improve his unit’s operations base at the time of the attack, sustained gunshot wounds and was transported to Su-ngai Kolok Hospital for treatment.
Authorities discovered that the perpetrators had scattered spike strips and placed suspicious objects resembling gas cylinders near the U-turn in front of Big C on Ban To Lue Be Road to obstruct pursuing officers. CCTV footage captured the suspects using a white pickup truck as their getaway vehicle.
Police from Su-ngai Kolok station have cordoned off the surrounding area and coordinated with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit to inspect the suspicious objects. A manhunt for the robbery gang is currently underway.
The exact extent of damages and the amount of gold stolen remain under detailed investigation.
Following the suspects’ escape, two explosions were heard at separate locations: the first near the U-turn in front of Big C Su-ngai Kolok, and the second at the U-turn near Khok Saya sawmill on the road toward Su-ngai Padi district. No injuries from the explosions have been reported thus far.
It remains unclear whether this incident was an opportunistic criminal robbery—gold prices currently stand at record levels of 60,000 baht per baht-weight (approximately $3,780 per troy ounce)—or part of a calculated effort to destabilize the southern border region
The incident occurred on the same day that the newly appointed Commander of the Fourth Army Region, Lieutenant General Norathip Phaoinok, paid a courtesy visit to Haji Abdulraman Maming, Chairman of the Pattani Provincial Islamic Committee, and his executive team
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