NARATHIWAT – Police have moved forward in the investigation of an armed 32 million baht gold shop robbery at a mall in Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat. Investigators have now secured three rounds of arrest warrants, covering 19 suspects in total.
Authorities say 11 are younger suspects believed to be hiding with relatives, while 8 others have long criminal records and multiple outstanding warrants in security-related cases.
According to officials, a group of suspects dressed in black and carrying firearms stormed the Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop located inside a shopping mall in Su-ngai Kolok District, Narathiwat Province. During the incident, S.A. Buriswar Radachai (Special Operations Unit 408) was shot and injured while trying to stop the group.
The suspects took 540 baht’s worth of gold jewelry. At the time, gold jewelry was selling at 59,450 baht per baht-weight, putting the total value at 32,103,000 baht. Investigators also said the group placed an explosive device to slow down pursuing officers. The robbery took place around 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2568.
How police identified the suspects
On Feb. 2, 2026, the case team led by Pol. Col. Direk Chomyong, Deputy Commander of Narathiwat Provincial Police, reported progress from ongoing tracking and evidence collection.
Police matched DNA results and latent fingerprints found on key evidence, including:
- A pickup truck that the suspects allegedly stole from a resident in Su-ngai Padi District and used as a getaway vehicle
- Debris and fragments from an improvised explosive device
- Spent bullet casings linked to the shooting that injured S.A. Buriswar Radachai
Investigators combined forensic results with civil registration records, then gradually built the case and requested arrest warrants from the Narathiwat Provincial Court in three rounds.
Three rounds of arrest warrants (19 suspects)
Round 1 (Oct. 9, 2025): 2 suspects
- Mr. Bakri Samae, 25
- Mr. Muhammad Nasaee Chayo, 43
Round 2 (Oct. 17, 2025): 5 suspects
- Mr. Azmin Salaemae, 34
- Mr. Toyeb Maethalong, 32
- Mr. Si Masae, 44
- Mr. Manso Putah, 31
- Mr. Musapha Chedeing, 36
Round 3 (Nov. 14, 2025): 12 suspects
- Mr. Niarifan Nileh, 24
- Mr. Azro Benkaso, 25
- Mr. Isham Pateh, 19
- Mr. Salahuddin Manawi, 25
- Mr. Maji Isa, 41
- Mr. Halem Puteh, 28
- Mr. Ruslan Ma, 24
- Mr. Muhammad Hasan Ma, 28
- Mr. Muhammad Arfan Laerosa, 21
- Mr. Ilyas Nima, 43
- Mr. Irfan Waemaming, 26
- Mr. Muhammad Ikram Raheng, 26
Background checks and additional warrants
Authorities said 11 of the 19 suspects are considered a younger group. Police also reported that 8 suspects are tied to security-related cases and already have multiple warrants, broken down as follows:
- Mr. Azmin Salaemae, 2 cases
- Mr. Tayeb Maethalong, 3 cases
- Mr. Halem Puteh, 3 cases
- Mr. Ilyas Nima, 3 cases
- Mr. Musapha Chedeing, 4 cases
- Mr. Manso Putah, 4 cases
- Mr. Muhammad Nasai Jayo, 5 cases
- Mr. Si Masae, 8 cases
Police said this group is also linked to the bombing attack at the PTT Dusongyo gas station in Chanae District, Narathiwat, reported on Jan. 11, 2569 (2026).
All 19 suspects remain at large. Police believe the 11 younger suspects are moving between relatives’ homes and safe houses connected to the group. For the other 8 suspects with extensive warrant histories, authorities suspect they may be hiding and operating in mountainous areas.
