In the heart of Rayong’s bustling shopping centre, a would-be gold thief learned the hard way that crime doesn’t always pay—especially if you choose the wrong direction on an escalator. It was a typical April evening in 2025 when the air at Tamnak Thong 5 gold shop, located on the first floor, filled with frenetic energy, but not because of eager shoppers looking for sparkle. Instead, it was all thanks to a blundered heist.
The saga unfolded just after 7 PM on April 27, drawing an immediate police response led by the diligent Deputy Inspector Kawiwut Boonruang, backed by the swift forces of the Mueang Rayong Police Station team, including Major General Phumin Singhasut and Police Colonel Athit Yakaew. They arrived on the scene to find 26-year-old Nattaporn from Chumphon province, looking rather worse for wear, subdued on the ground. His defeat came courtesy of some impromptu heroics from a courageous bystander.
Nattaporn, a self-confessed durian sorter by profession, turned thief for the day after a failed attempt to withdraw money from an ATM machine in the mall rattled his plans. In a hasty decision, he decided on the spur of the moment to pillage the nearby gold haven. Little did he know, his debut in the crime world was about to flop more spectacularly than a comedian with a serious misunderstanding of their audience.
The ill-fated escapade began with a courteous enough entrance. Sporting a backpack, he leisurely entered the shop, engaging the assistant by requesting a glimpse at a glittering gold necklace weighing 5 baht. Taking the pretense further, he feigned interest in a 50-baht tray’s treasure before stepping out for a fictitious phone call. Moments later, with a burst of seeming confidence, he snatched the entire tray of 10 necklaces and dashed off like an unseasoned sprinter.
But, alas for Nattaporn, his calculated getaway was going downhill—figuratively and almost literally—as he tried to ascend a descending escalator. His momentum was foiled, and quick-witted shopper Winai Masawat, aged 52, seized his heroic moment. At the mall with his wife, Winai sprang into action, narrating his experience with incredulous zeal:
“I saw him grab the gold right in front of me. I ran after him towards the escalator. He was in such a panic he tried to run down the up escalator, which gave me and others the chance to grab him,” recounted Winai, his eyes still with the zeal of his triumph. With the aid of other gallant mall-goers, they brought down the thrasher-turned-fumbler before he could take another misstep.
The aftermath saw the return of the gleaming necklaces, valued at over a whopping 2 million baht, to their rightful resting place—no doubt much to the shop employee’s relief. Major General Phumin lauded the quick-thinking citizens, promising accolations for their bravery and perhaps a poignant reminder that sometimes, the shopper triumphs over shoplifter in a titanic battle of instinct and wit.
As for Nattaporn, his perfunctory day of sorting durians had careened into chaos, landing him in the grasp of Rayong City Police Station. Awaiting the wheels of justice to turn, his lessons in heist planning will now involve more contemplation and fewer escalators.
This headline-grabbing caper in Rayong certainly added a humorous glint to the day’s news but serves a timely reminder to would-be thieves—always check the direction of the escalator before attempting a getaway!
I can’t believe someone would be so foolish to try running up a down escalator during a heist!
It sounds like something out of a comedy movie. Desperation makes people do silly things.
Or maybe he thought he was in an action movie? Reminds me of a classic slapstick routine! 😂
Exactly, but when real life becomes more entertaining than fiction, it’s quite a story!
Yeah, but kudos to the bystanders for being so brave. That could’ve been really dangerous.
Shows how crime never pays. Way to go, bystanders!
This reminds me of that infamous Boston Heist in ’90 – way better planned but still failed!
At least nobody got hurt. That makes it better than most heist stories.
True, and Winai deserves a medal for his quick thinking!
I feel kind of bad for Nattaporn. Sounds like desperation mixed with naivety.
I agree, but what he did was still very wrong, despite his situation.
Desperation shouldn’t drive you to crime, though. There are always better options.
Winai is a hero in my books. We need more people like him who are willing to step in!
Absolutely! And it’s great that multiple people were willing to help stop the thief.
This guy is so bad at crime, he makes my job look unnecessary!
Haha, sometimes criminals make it easy. It makes for a great story and a good laugh.
Definitely gave us all a laugh. Maybe he’ll plan better next time… or not plan crime at all.
Messed up world when people brave enough to intervene get less news coverage than the thief.
This is why planning is essential, not that I’m supporting crime, but come on doing research is key!
But maybe let’s stick to planning hikes or trips instead of crimes! 😂
Exactly! Let’s channel that energy into something positive.
Crime rates must be low there for such an incident to stand out this much.
Frankly, I’m relieved it ended well. Too many stories with worse outcomes.
I bet he won’t try that again, if he ever gets the chance! What a story for the grandkids.
Why isn’t this captured on CCTV and posted online? Would be a hit for sure.
Hey, everything doesn’t need to be shared for entertainment! Let’s keep some things private.
Our world today… fame comes in all the wrong ways.
[…] Vor dem Vorfall versuchte er eine Geldabhebung am Automaten, die fehlschlug, was er später als Grund für seine Entscheidung zum Diebstahl angab. Zunächst betrat er das Geschäft unter dem Vorwand, eine 5-Baht-Goldkette kaufen zu wollen, und bat darum, das Stück zu inspizieren, bevor er seinen Plan ausführte. Seine Handlungen wurden von den Sicherheitskameras des Einkaufszentrums aufgezeichnet, die klare Beweise für das Verbrechen liefern Sicherheitsaufnahmen als Beweis. […]