A GAMBLER who stole 30-baht weight gold ornaments from a gold shop in Chonburi province late December to clear online gambling debts surrendered to police today (Jan. 10), Thai Rath newspaper reported.
Mr. Uthit Puangthong, 44, said upon turning himself in and returning half the loot that he had used the rest to pay off debts mounted up at online gambling sites after coming under heavy pressure to do so.
Uthai, a native of Tak province, had on December 22 walked into Thong Tamnak Thong 5 gold shop at Lotus Plus Mall Amata City branch and asked for and was shown two five-baht weight gold bracelets and two 10-baht weight gold chains. After that he pulled out a fake pistol and grabbed the ornaments, then got into his sedan with the front licence plate painted white and drove away.
He said that he surrendered because of strong pressure from police and advised others thinking of robbing gold shops not to do so as Thai police would definitely catch them.
He also apologised to his wife and his family for having committed this crime and promised to do good for the society after he completes his jail term.
CAPTION:
Top: The gold shop robber, left, and as he was stealing the gold ornaments from the shop, right. Photo: Thai Rath
