Two suspects in Chiang Rai gold shop robbery arrested in Laos

Two suspects wanted for the armed robbery of a gold shop in Chiang Rai, Thailand, have been arrested in Laos, according to local media reports. Police in Laos conducted an operation in Bokeo province on Wednesday, while the suspects were armed, prompting the use of military personnel to secure the area. The suspects are identified as Somchai Thipphavan, 32, a Hmong resident, and Ai Vilaisuk, 31, a boat operator.

They were arrested after an investigation into a robbery on August 4, in which armed men stole 184 baht-weight of gold ornaments worth about 13 million baht from a Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop located inside the Lotus’s shopping centre in Chiang Khong. The robbers crossed the Mekong River into Bokeo before being apprehended in Laos.

During the arrest, the suspects were found carrying handguns, though it is unclear if these were the same weapons used in the robbery. Lao authorities have charged Somchai with robbery and Ai with accomplice involvement, while the location of the stolen gold remains unknown. Lao authorities contacted Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong police officers, who had previously collaborated to track down the suspects, following the arrests.

Chiang Khong police had offered a 100,000 baht reward for information leading to the apprehension of the gold shop robbers.