Bored chef robs currency exchange
A MAN WHO ROBBED A CURRENCY exchange booth behind the Jungceylon mall at gunpoint on Feb 13 was previously a cook at a restaurant who couldn’t be bothered working.
The robber, Seksan Wongwirat, 20, originally from Phetchabun, was arrested at a rented room on Nanai Rd in Patong, Patong Police confirmed on Feb 16.
His rented room was only some 300 metres from the scene of the crime, the Yes! Currency Exchange booth located behind the Jungceylon shopping mall.
Assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn together with Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Amphol Buarabporn presented Seksan to the press on Feb 17.
Seksan now faces charges for armed robbery, possession of a firearm without permission and carrying a firearm in a public area without justifiable reason. At the press conference, Seksan confessed to all charges.
Seksan himself explained that he used to work as a cook at a restaurant. “But I was reluctant to work. Sometimes I did not go to work, I came late and eventually left the job,” he said.
“After that when I had no money, I committed the robbery then I went to Phi Phi Island until Feb 15 and then came back to buy gold in Phuket,” he added.
Lt Gen Surachate explained that Seksan was arrested with 96 Thai banknotes of B1,000 and three banknotes of 50 euros (just over B1,800), in his possession. After the robbery, during which Seksan threatened 45-year-old staffer Saowaluk Dangdueng at gunpoint, Seksan was reported to have fled with the equivalent of B226,918 in foreign banknotes, and more than B3,400 in cash.
At the press conference police explained that officers had seized the gun used in the robbery, as well as a gold necklace, a silver necklace, and a receipt issued by Thongwang Tokang Yaowarat gold shop. It was not confirmed how much the receipt was for.
Seksan was also found in possession of an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Redmi Note 11 mobile phone.
Also seized were the black hoodie, black trousers, black gloves and Nike trainers he wore during the robbery.
Patong Police had Seksan in custody and were proceeding with pressing charges, Lt Gen Surachate confirmed.