Luxury Residence Targeted in Phuket Burglary
Phuket police are actively searching for an individual who broke into an unoccupied luxury home in Kathu, making off with a significant haul of gold and over 3 million Thai baht. The homeowner was reportedly overseas at the time of the incident.
The break-in was reported on June 8th by Somsak, 54, who was overseeing the property for his brother, the homeowner, who is currently abroad. Somsak informed Kathu police that he discovered signs of forced entry during a routine visit to clean the residence. Upon inspection, he found that numerous valuables, previously stored in a wardrobe drawer, were missing.
Details of Stolen Valuables Surface
The stolen items include gold bars totaling approximately 33 baht-weight (around 495 grams) and gold jewelry weighing an estimated 7 baht-weight (about 105 grams). In addition to the gold, the thief made off with over 2 million Thai baht in cash and an amount of euros valued at more than 1 million Thai baht.
Investigation Underway, CCTV Footage Being Reviewed
Officers from Kathu Police Station have confirmed evidence of forced entry at the scene. Forensic teams have collected latent fingerprints and other physical evidence for analysis. Investigators are currently examining nearby CCTV footage and reviewing potential entry and exit routes from the village to gather further clues. Initial assessments suggest the property may have been targeted due to its prolonged vacancy.
Legal Ramifications for Aggravated Theft
Authorities are working to identify the suspect and pursue legal action. Under Thai law, burglary involving forced entry into a dwelling can be classified as aggravated theft under Section 335 of the Criminal Code. This offense carries potential penalties ranging from one to five years in prison and fines of 20,000 to 100,000 baht. Penalties could be increased to up to seven years imprisonment and a fine of up to 140,000 baht if aggravating factors are present.
In a separate incident, a Phuket family returned from holiday celebrations to discover their home had also been burgled. A safe containing 1 million baht, gold bars, gold necklaces, and passports was stolen in that case, with police also conducting a search for the perpetrators.
