Gunfire, explosions trigger panic as armed gang raids gold shop in Thailand

The raid began around 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 5, when the men stormed the Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop, unleashing gunfire that injured Sergeant Burisorn Radachai, a border patrol officer who happened to be shopping for supplies. He was hit by bullets and rushed to Su-ngai Kolok Hospital, where he remains under treatment, Khaosod reported.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos as terrified customers and staff ran for cover. The suspects grabbed an undisclosed quantity of gold and fled in a white pickup truck. To block pursuers, they threw spike strips across the road and abandoned canisters resembling gas cylinders near the mall's U-turn, prompting bomb disposal teams to cordon off the area.

Shortly after the escape, two explosions shook the district: one at the U-turn in front of Big C Su-ngai Kolok and another near Khok Saya sawmill on the road toward Su-ngai Padi district, The Nation reported. No further injuries were reported, but authorities believe the blasts were meant to sow confusion and cover the robbers' trail.

CCTV footage is being analyzed as police launch a manhunt for the gang. The scale and tactics of the attack, mixing armed robbery with explosives, have raised questions about whether it was purely criminal, given record-high gold prices, or linked to insurgent groups long active in Thailand's southern border provinces.

The amount of gold stolen and the full extent of damages are still under investigation. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant as security forces tighten patrols in Narathiwat.