HAT YAI – Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy for robbing a gold shop in Hat Yai, Songkhla. He allegedly claimed he was following a “mission” suggested by a friend he met through an online game. Police investigators believe his planned destination was Laos, where the online friend allegedly lives.
Police say the incident took place at 6:36 p.m. on February 3, 2026. The teen allegedly entered a well-known mall in Hat Yai and stole gold totaling 33 baht in weight. He reportedly used a hammer to break the glass display case.
A close friend said the teen, known among friends as “Lor,” had told them he wouldn’t be staying at his family home in Na Mom District, of Songkhla. He told friends he planned to go to Bangkok. The teen reportedly checked into a resort in Na Mom District, not far from his home, and stayed one night.
Around midday, he allegedly left the resort and bought items to prepare for the crime from a 20-baht shop near the resort. The items reportedly included a hammer, socks, and a face mask for disguise.
At about 3:30 p.m., police say he stole a motorcycle belonging to a Myanmar construction worker that was parked at Wat Mae Pia in Moo 2, Na Mom Subdistrict. He then allegedly rode the motorcycle to Hat Yai to commit the robbery. After the robbery, the motorcycle was left near a canal in Na Mom Subdistrict.
Police believe the teen used a delivery rider to send the gold to a friend at an apartment in the area of Soi 4, Niphat Songkhro 5 Road, Hat Yai District, Songkhla. The gold was reportedly hidden inside a laundry detergent bag, covered with a black shirt, then placed inside a woman’s handbag.
Investigators say he traveled the next morning to Hat Yai International Airport, flew to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, then took a bus from Mo Chit to Ubon Ratchathani Province.
Police recovered gold evidence weighing 30 baht, with 3 baht in gold still missing. They are working to find out what happened to the missing gold, whether it was sold or given to someone, and what the overall plan was.
Meanwhile, police said the teen will be transferred back to Songkhla for legal proceedings.
Thailand’s national police chief, Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet said investigators are still looking into whether anyone helped or influenced the teen. Police believe he acted alone during the robbery, but the distance of his escape route, from Songkhla to Ubon Ratchathani, raised concern that he may have planned to leave the country.
So far, investigators said they haven’t confirmed outside help with the escape. The suspect reportedly claimed he went to Ubon Ratchathani because he had a friend there.
Another report said that during questioning, the suspect told police his motive came from playing a game and chatting with a friend in the game, who is Lao. He allegedly said the friend suggested stealing gold as a “mission,” then storing it first and sending it later to Laos.
He planned to travel to Khemarat District and cross the border into Laos to meet the friend he played the online game with.
