SARABURI — Police are hunting a knife-wielding robber who held a female customer hostage at a gold shop in Ban Mo district on Wednesday afternoon, stealing gold ornaments worth approximately 240,000 baht before escaping on a motorcycle, the Bangkok Post reported. The brazen robbery marks the second time the same shop has been targeted in two months.

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The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. at the Por Udomsuk gold shop in Tha Lan market. Security footage showed a man aged 30-40, wearing a mask, helmet, and long-sleeved jacket, arriving on an unlicensed motorcycle. He forced his way through the glass door, seized 57-year-old Sureenut Buasri—who had just pawned a ring for her grandson’s medical expenses—and held a knife to her waist while threatening to slit her throat if the owner did not hand over gold.

Shop owner Nanthawan Piamkhiew, 72, complied out of fear for the customer’s life, handing over 15 necklaces. The robber fled toward Tha Rua district in Ayutthaya.

Police have launched a manhunt for a knife-wielding robber who held a customer hostage and made off with gold ornaments worth about 240,000 baht before fleeing on a motorcycle in Ban Mo district of Saraburi province.

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Sureenut, visibly shaken, told police she feared for her life during the ordeal. “I thought I was going to die. I kept thinking about my children and grandchildren,” she said. Witnesses reported the robber shouted about needing money to pay gambling debts.

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The same shop was robbed two months ago, though the previous thief was apprehended. Police are reviewing security footage and witness statements to identify the suspect, who remains at large. Authorities have intensified patrols and checkpoints in the area to prevent further crimes.

-Thailand News (TN)