Desperate Heist Foiled: Youtsaphon Nirattisai’s Attempt to Steal Gold in Hat Yai Ends in Arrest

In a dramatic display of swift action, a Thai man found himself at the receiving end of justice after attempting a heist that quickly unraveled. The culprit, Youtsaphon Nirattisai, became the focus of attention when he tried to pull off a daring theft of five gold necklaces, valued at a whopping 1.3 million baht, from a shop located within a bustling shopping mall in the Hat Yai district, nestled in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla. The events that unfolded on June 24th proved to be quite the spectacle.

As the plot thickened, it was clear that Youtsaphon’s plan lacked finesse. The scene of the crime was a seemingly ordinary day at the gold shop, where three female employees were on duty, blissfully unaware of the impending turmoil. Youtsaphon sauntered into the shop, posing as a regular customer, and inquired about an array of sparkling gold necklaces. However, things took a sinister turn when he probed the staff about the whereabouts of the shop’s cash, only to be met with the revelation that no cash was stored on-site. Seizing the moment, he grabbed the shimmering necklaces and made a dash for it.

The escapade that ensued bore the hallmarks of a high-stakes chase scene from a movie. A vigilant security guard, with swift reflexes and determination, set off in hot pursuit of the fleeing thief. The chase unfurled from the shop and spilled onto Phetchakasem Road, taking a winding path all the way to Soi Phetchakasem 41, about 300 meters away. In a stroke of luck, patrol officers from Hat Yai Police Station happened to be nearby and joined in on the action, intercepting the culprit before he could disappear into the labyrinthine alleys. They swiftly apprehended Youtsaphon, relieving him of his pilfered treasures, which were tucked neatly in his shirt pocket.

The aftermath of this ill-fated escapade revealed the motivations behind Youtsaphon’s audacious attempt. His woes were deeply personal, as he later confessed to ThaiRath that financial turmoil had driven him to desperate measures. Burdened with crippling debt, he considered theft as his only avenue. But before taking the plunge, Youtsaphon engaged in an elaborate dance of deliberation. He rode a baht bus from his home to Kim Yong Market, where he acquired a pair of sunglasses — perhaps a feeble effort to conceal his identity. From there, he hopped onto a tuk tuk, making his way to the shopping mall, all the while teetering on the edge of indecision. In a final act of resolve, he changed clothes and retreated to the mall’s restroom, wrestling with his conscience before committing the act.

In the face of economic hardship, police urged gold shop proprietors and their staff to bolster their security protocols. They recommended a discerning approach toward clientele, advising against granting service to those with obscured identities — a nod to the nefarious capabilities of sunglasses, hats, and face masks. Law enforcement’s advisory extends to requesting patrons to shed these accessories, establishing a level of transparency and trustworthiness in their interactions.

The legal ramifications of Youtsaphon’s escapade remain undisclosed, with astonished onlookers left to ponder his fate. Under the watchful eye of Section 334 of the Criminal Law, Youtsaphon faces a grave prospect of up to three years behind bars or a hefty fine of up to 60,000 baht. This nerve-wracking ordeal serves as a stark reminder that while financial hardship presses heavily upon many, crime is rarely the solution.