Arrest warrant for gold thief who fled to Laos from Chiang Khong

Thairath•Society•7d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a Laotian national following a 13-million-baht gold robbery in Chiang Khong.

•A gold robbery occurred on August 4 in Chiang Khong district, involving the theft of 184 baht of gold jewelry valued at approximately 13 million baht.
•An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Khamtid Ponpasid, a Laotian national identified via passport.
•The suspect fled to Luang Namtha, Laos, using a borrowed white Toyota Camry.
•Thai police are coordinating with Laotian authorities and the Thai Embassy in Vientiane to apprehend the suspect.

•On August 4, two suspects stole 184 baht of gold from a mall in Chiang Khong district.
•Chiang Khong Police Station coordinated with the Chiang Saen Immigration Office, the Thai Embassy in Vientiane, and the Governor of Huay Xai to track the suspect.
•An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Khamtid Ponpasid, who is currently located in Luang Namtha, Laos.
•Investigation revealed Mr. Khamtid Ponpasid entered Thailand via a local border crossing from Khon Kaen pier to Ban Hua Vieng pier instead of the standard Friendship Bridge.
•Laotian police found evidence in Luang Namtha, including clothing used in the crime and a white Toyota Camry with Vientiane license plate VK1222.
•A Laotian source reports Mr. Khamtid Ponpasid has a prior history of robbery in Laos and struggles with gaming and gambling addictions.
•The Chiang Khong District Chief and police noted that rental car operators at the pier have not been strictly collecting identity documents from Laotian renters.
•Chiang Khong Police Station is implementing a new security system for gold shops, city entry-exit points, and car rental businesses.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Mr. Khamtid Ponpasid(Mr. KHAMTID PONPASID)

A Laotian national and primary suspect in the Chiang Khong gold robbery with a history of robbery in Laos.

Pol. Col. Rathawit Wasinphongthanat(พ.ต.อ.รัฐวิชญ์ วศินพงศ์ธนัช)

Superintendent of Chiang Khong Police Station.

Mr. Surachet Puinoi(นายสุรเชษฐ์ พุ้ยน้อย)

District Chief of Chiang Khong.

Chiang Khong Police Station(สภ.เชียงของ)

The police station responsible for the investigation and pursuit of the gold robbery suspects.

Chiang Saen Immigration Office(ตม.เชียงแสน)

The immigration office coordinating the tracking of the suspect's travel records.

Thai Embassy in Vientiane(สถานทูตไทยประจำนครเวียงจันทน์)

The diplomatic mission coordinating international cooperation to arrest the suspect.

Lao People's Democratic Republic Public Security Police(ตำรวจป้องกันความสงบ (ปกส.) สปป. ลาว)

The Laotian law enforcement agency collaborating with Thai police to track the suspect.

Chiang Khong District(อำเภอเชียงของ)ℹ️

The location where the gold robbery occurred.

Huay Xai Town(เมืองห้วยทราย)

A town in Laos where the suspect borrowed a vehicle.

Luang Namtha Province(เมืองหลวงน้ำทา)ℹ️

The location in Laos where the suspect fled and where evidence was discovered.

Bokeo Province(แขวงบ่อแก้ว)ℹ️

The Laotian province coordinating with the Chiang Khong District Chief.

Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 4(สะพานมิตรภาพไทย-ลาว แห่งที่ 4)

The permanent border crossing usually used by the suspect.

Khon Kaen Pier(ท่าเรือขอนแก่น)

The local border crossing point used by the suspect to enter Thailand during the crime.

Ban Hua Vieng Bug Pier(ท่าเรือบั๊ก บ้านหัวเวียง)

The pier used by the suspect to travel into Laos.