Bling Sting: Thief Makes Off with 300K Baht in Daring Daylight Heist in Phuket
PHUKET – A bold burglar made off with an estimated 300,000 baht worth of luxury items and sacred artefacts during a broad daylight break-in at a home in Thalang district, leaving a trail of destruction and a shocked community in their wake.
The theft occurred around 3:20 p.m. on May 15 at a residence in Phanasanthi 3 village, located in the Srisoonthorn subdistrict. The alarm was raised by a vigilant neighbor, Phonphop Chumwan, 45, who noticed the back door of the home standing open and contacted homeowner Thitiphan Bunthrik, who confirmed no one should have been on the property.
Phonphop entered the home and discovered it had been completely ransacked—cupboards torn open, belongings strewn across the floor. Among the stolen items were seven sacred amulets, 10 Buddha statues, a 23-inch brass statue of Ganesha, a gold necklace, two diamond-tipped gold rings, and nine luxury watches including high-end brands such as Omega and Rolex.
Officers from Thalang Police, led by Pol Lt Col Kraisorn Boonprasop, responded quickly, taking witness statements and beginning an immediate investigation. Authorities are now combing through CCTV footage from nearby homes and businesses in hopes of identifying the suspect.
“The suspect knew exactly what they were after,” said one officer at the scene. “This wasn’t a random smash and grab.”
Residents of the quiet, typically peaceful neighborhood have been left unsettled by the audacious crime. Police are urging anyone with security footage from the area around the time of the incident to review it and report any suspicious activity.
As the manhunt intensifies, officers remain confident the perpetrator will be caught. But for now, an unknown thief remains at large—armed with a haul of gold, gemstones, sacred items, and high-end timepieces, and a significant head start.
