Bangkok: A female convenience store owner in Bang Bua Thong thwarted a gang of Caucasian thieves by locking them inside her shop before contacting the authorities. The gang, known for their scheme involving the use of a 1,000-baht banknote to purchase goods and then fleeing with the change, met their match in the quick-thinking owner.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage captured the events at 10:00 PM on June 11th, when a Caucasian man arrived on a motorcycle at the scene. The driver parked the bike a short distance from the shop, while his accomplice, Irfan Muhammad, a 33-year-old Pakistani national, entered the store under the pretense of making a purchase. Utilizing their usual tactic, he attempted to baffle the shopkeeper by asking repeatedly for the items and change, aiming to escape with the money.
The shop owner, Ms. Suchawadee, recognized the scam from previous reports and acted swiftly as the suspect tried to execute his plan. She seized the opportunity during a momentary distraction to secure the metal roller door, trapping Muhammad inside the store. She then promptly alerted the police. Meanwhile, the accomplice waiting outside on the motorcycle managed to evade capture.
In the aftermath, Ms. Suchawadee and other victims went to the Bang Bua Thong Police Station to identify the suspects and provide additional statements. The gang, characterized by their tall stature and Caucasian appearance, have been targeting small community shops with their scheme. They typically use a 1,000-baht note to buy trivial items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, then confuse shopkeepers by demanding the return of the purchased goods while switching languages between Thai and English.
Victims, like Mr. Sujarit from Nakhon Pathom, have recounted similar experiences, noting the suspects' fluency in Thai and their use of disguises, such as wigs and different clothing, to carry out their scams in various locations. The police are working with other stations to track down the suspects for their offenses and are encouraging the public to report any sightings or encounters with the perpetrators.