Pattani pair ‘checkout’ with million-baht heist

Two thieves remain at large after stealing 1.2 million baht from the manager of a convenience store in the southern province of Pattani.

Officers from Mayo Police Station are searching for the male suspects involved in the theft, which occurred at around 2.30pm, yesterday, November 18. The victim was the manager of a convenience store, who was on her way to deposit 1.2 million baht in revenue at Kasikorn Bank in Pattani’s Mayo district.

The manager, identified only as Na, told the news agency FM91 BKK that she and her female colleague were travelling on a motorcycle to the bank, approximately 1 kilometre from the store. They placed the cash in the storage compartment under the motorcycle seat.

As they arrived at the bank and prepared to park, two male thieves pulled up on a motorcycle nearby. One of the men approached Na and her colleague, demanding that Na open the storage compartment.

When she refused, the man brandished a gun and threatened to shoot her. Fearing for her safety, Na complied, allowing the thieves to take the cash. Na emphasised that the thieves communicate with her in the Bahasa Melayu language.

According to Na, the first thief, who was driving the motorcycle, was wearing a white shirt, while the other suspect was in a hoodie. They were riding an old red and black Honda Wave 100 motorcycle without a registration plate.

Many netizens urged police to question Na, her female colleague, and other staff at the store. They pointed out that the thieves appeared to know the exact time Na would be heading to the bank and where the money was stored, leading to speculation that the perpetrators may be connected to the store.

Some netizens suggested that the thieves could be former employees familiar with the store’s routines and procedures.

Others criticised Na and her colleague for their apparent recklessness, in transporting such a large amount of cash on a motorcycle. They argued that it would have been safer to use a car for the journey.

Police have not yet provided further updates on the case. The identities of the thieves remain under investigation.