Hat yai: Police are urgently searching for a masked gunman who single-handedly robbed a well-known shopping mall in Hat Yai of 33 baht worth of gold. Investigations revealed the suspect stole a motorcycle in Na Mom district to use in the crime.
According to Thai News Agency, the lone gunman targeted a gold shop in a shopping mall near Prince of Songkla University in Hat Yai, Songkhla, at 6:36 PM yesterday, February 3, 2026. CCTV footage shows a small-framed suspect wearing black clothing and a balaclava, carrying a black bag. The suspect threatened customers before pulling out a hammer, jumping over the counter, and smashing five display cases. Approximately 33 baht worth of gold necklaces were stolen. Terrified shop employees fled, triggering the alarm and calling for emergency assistance as the robber fled the scene.
This morning at the Koh Hong Police Station in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theerasak Chaiyotha, the commander of the Songkhla Provincial Police Investigation Division, convened a meeting with the investigation team to expedite the case. Initial findings reveal the theft of 33 baht weight of gold, comprising a 20 baht gold bracelet and a 13 baht gold necklace, valued at over 2.4 million baht. Evidence collected includes a hammer, a military-style helmet, and flip-flops. DNA samples from these items are being analyzed by the Police Forensic Science Center Region 9. The investigation is concentrated on Na Mom District, where a red and white Honda Wave motorcycle, belonging to a Myanmar migrant worker, was reportedly stolen around 3 PM at Wat Mae Pia, Khlong Rang Subdistrict. This motorcycle was allegedly used in the gold robbery.
The affected gold shop remains closed today as repairs to the damaged display cases are underway and the stolen gold is accounted for. Police investigators are actively gathering information to identify the perpetrator. A female employee, who witnessed the incident, reported that the robber entered the shop without prior reconnaissance, used a hammer from his bag to smash the glass, and seized the gold. Broken gold pieces were found on the floor. Employees, shocked by the incident, either jumped over the counter or ran out the door, confirming that the robber was armed only with a hammer, not a gun.