In the bustling streets of Bangkok, a drama unfolded that seemed straight out of a thriller movie. Picture this: a young man, driven to desperation by financial woes, decides to stage a daring gold store heist in the vibrant Wat Chula area. Meet 35-year-old Pramote Khongsriworakulchai, who allegedly pulled off this audacious robbery, swiping five gleaming 1-baht gold necklaces right under the noses of unsuspecting shopkeepers.
The clock ticked closer to 9pm on March 16 when Police Colonel Anan Warasat’s team, along with Deputy Police Chief Kosolpiyah Seema, tracked Pramote to his doorstep on Soi Ramintra 8, Bang Khen district. In an operation that was as thrilling as any crime drama, the police confiscated four of the stolen gold necklaces, a motorcycle he used for his getaway, and the very clothes he wore during the heist.
As the law closed in, Pramote, under the spotlight of police interrogation, confessed his involvement. Caught on the ever-watchful security cameras, there was little room for denial. With nowhere to run, he spilled the beans about the adrenaline-fueled chase after he successfully eluded initial capture by heading toward the bustling district of Bang Sue. It was there that he pawned one of the glittering necklaces, pocketing around 42,000 baht, equivalent to about US$1,250. In an attempt to dodge the long arm of the law, Pramote made a pit stop at a local salon. Armed with a new haircut, he hoped the authorities would pass him by.
A twist in the tale came when Pramote’s girlfriend caught wind of his escapades. Acting as the voice of reason, she advised him to turn himself in, reasoning that his brush with criminality wouldn’t go unnoticed. Following her counsel—or perhaps succumbing to the inevitable—Pramote made his way back home, right into the waiting arms of justice.
The plot thickened as Pramote admitted his motive was desperation. His livelihood as a motorcycle taxi driver wasn’t enough to keep afloat amidst crushing high-interest loans. In a bid to make ends meet, he had orchestrated the robbery with a startling revelation: the firearm he brandished to intimidate was nothing more than a counterfeit, costing him a paltry 300 baht, or US$9. He later tossed this prop into the Chao Phraya River, discarding any evidence that might weigh against him. Now, Pramote faces charges of vehicular-assisted robbery, safely in the custody of Bang Khen Police Station, thanks to the efforts reported by KhaoSod.
And in parallel news, the city witnessed another swift closure of a gold-snatching case. Tha Kham police arrested a 28-year-old fugitive who had recently targeted a Myanmar national for their valuable necklace. This incident from March 10 was quickly resolved due to keen-eyed officers, showcasing the dedication of local law enforcement in keeping Bangkok safe.
Elsewhere in Bangkok, news breaks of dramatic developments every hour. Chaos erupts on Bangkok’s expressways, a bridge crossing challenge keeps the city on edge, and a tragic fall from a cell tower brings a Czech man to an untimely end. Amongst these tales from the city, the saga of Pramote stands out—a poignant reminder of how far some might go when backed into an economic corner.
So next time you stroll through Bangkok, remember that beneath its glittering façade and vibrant life, stories like Pramote’s linger—complex chapters in the book of a city where every alley echoes with tales of human trials and errors.
I feel so sorry for Pramote. It’s tragic what desperation can make people do.
True, but I find it hard to sympathize with criminals. He put people in danger with his actions.
I understand your point, Mark, but sometimes we need to look at the circumstances that push someone to such extremes.
Come on, folks! He did what he had to survive! It’s not like he wanted to hurt anyone.
Just because someone didn’t get hurt, doesn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous. It was all for personal gain, that’s not survivial, that’s selfishness.
The true crooks are the loan sharks charging such crippling interest.
Exactly! The system is rigged against the little guy. It’s no wonder people like Pramote snap under pressure.
But that doesn’t justify the crime. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and Pramote’s actions could have sparked violence.
Why are people glorifying this guy? He’s nothing but a thief who got caught.
I think people just want to understand the bigger picture, not just label him as a bad guy.
Understanding isn’t the same as excusing. People seem to be forgetting he made choices.
It’s good that his girlfriend convinced him to surrender. Shows he did have a conscience left.
Or maybe he just didn’t want to run anymore. It’s easy to paint him with a sympathetic brush, but we shouldn’t ignore that he committed a crime.
True, Susie, but turning himself in speaks to at least an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
What shocks me is that he used a fake gun. Shows how desperate he was.
It’s fascinating how such drastic actions can all stem from economic pressures.
I just hope this story doesn’t inspire copycats. Economic hardship isn’t an excuse for criminal behavior.
Doesn’t this just show how flawed our economic systems are if despair drives people to such measures?
Yes, Fiona, systemic issues play a huge role in shaping individual actions. It’s a much bigger problem than just Pramote’s heist.
Crazy part is, this kind of stuff happens every day in big cities, not always making headlines.
That’s the harsh reality, Terry. Cities have unseen struggles that don’t always get news coverage.
Do you think the cops will actually do something meaningful this time or just let him slip away?
With the evidence they gathered, he’s unlikely to slip away. Cops will want to make an example.
I hope so, Gregory. Justice should be visible, especially in such blatant crimes.
It’s sad to see how someone’s circumstances can lead them down such a dark path.
I wonder how different Pramote’s life would be like in a place with better social safety nets.
Lol, changing his haircut to avoid cops was clever! But really, what was he thinking?
Poor decisions often come from a place of panic, Gamer_X. He wasn’t thinking clearly.