PHUKET: A daring Phuket currency kiosk robbery that netted 1.7 million baht was an inside job, police said today after arresting two men. But the Phuket partners fell out and most of the cash remains missing, say officers.
Twin raids around midnight first netted the robber, Krangsak "Jea" Jintapakul, 25, and later his Siam Commercial Bank accomplice, Amnard Ponparmoon,27, at their homes in Vichit and Rassada.
Today, while Khun Jea smiled broadly in the cells at Chalong Police Station in southern Phuket, his partner in crime Khun Amnard looked grim and stressed over the raid on the SCB currency kiosk in Karon, on Phuket's holiday west coast, on November 26.
A mysterious ''Mr Kob'' who allegedly collected some of the haul from the robbery has yet to be found.
SCB staffer Wilaikan Khaw-Ong, 26, who was in the kiosk with Khun Amnard when the raid came about 8pm, found it difficult today to believe her trusted colleague and friend could be a criminal.
''It was no fun being held up,'' she said. ''It's alarming to learn that a friend and fellow employee allowed it all to happen.''
Police raided Khun Jea's home first and found American Express cheques plus small quantities of US, Hong Kong and Singapore dollars, as well as Swiss francs and English pounds.
They also took possession of four bb guns and a homemade .38 thai pradit weapon, capable of firing up to nine bullets at once.
Although police were told Khun Jea was wielding a knife on the night he robbed the currency kiosk in Patak Road, near Karon Circle, he denied having any weapon.
Both men confessed after their arrests, police said.
The pair were friends and Khun Amnard proposed the robbery because he needed 20,000 baht for a mortgage, police said. On the day of the robbery, he provided Khun Jea with the bag used in the raid and told him to push open the glass door as Khun Wilaikan went to shut it at 8pm, police said.
At the same time, Khun Amnard switched out the lights.
Phuketwan reporters, on the spot within minutes of the robbery, were told that the raider threw the bag at Khun Amnard and yelled: ''Give me the money.''
Khun Jea said that after making his getaway on a motorcycle, he returned to his home. ''Mr Kob'' arrived soon after and collected all the cash except for 10,000 baht, Khun Jea told police.
He was later given 300,000 baht but ''Mr Kob'' later took it back, police were told.
The unsmiling Khun Amnard also says he say none of the proceeds from the robbery. Police say they are continuing to pursue ''Mr Kob.''
Twin raids around midnight first netted the robber, Krangsak "Jea" Jintapakul, 25, and later his Siam Commercial Bank accomplice, Amnard Ponparmoon,27, at their homes in Vichit and Rassada.
Today, while Khun Jea smiled broadly in the cells at Chalong Police Station in southern Phuket, his partner in crime Khun Amnard looked grim and stressed over the raid on the SCB currency kiosk in Karon, on Phuket's holiday west coast, on November 26.
A mysterious ''Mr Kob'' who allegedly collected some of the haul from the robbery has yet to be found.
SCB staffer Wilaikan Khaw-Ong, 26, who was in the kiosk with Khun Amnard when the raid came about 8pm, found it difficult today to believe her trusted colleague and friend could be a criminal.
''It was no fun being held up,'' she said. ''It's alarming to learn that a friend and fellow employee allowed it all to happen.''
Police raided Khun Jea's home first and found American Express cheques plus small quantities of US, Hong Kong and Singapore dollars, as well as Swiss francs and English pounds.
They also took possession of four bb guns and a homemade .38 thai pradit weapon, capable of firing up to nine bullets at once.
Although police were told Khun Jea was wielding a knife on the night he robbed the currency kiosk in Patak Road, near Karon Circle, he denied having any weapon.
Both men confessed after their arrests, police said.
The pair were friends and Khun Amnard proposed the robbery because he needed 20,000 baht for a mortgage, police said. On the day of the robbery, he provided Khun Jea with the bag used in the raid and told him to push open the glass door as Khun Wilaikan went to shut it at 8pm, police said.
At the same time, Khun Amnard switched out the lights.
Phuketwan reporters, on the spot within minutes of the robbery, were told that the raider threw the bag at Khun Amnard and yelled: ''Give me the money.''
Khun Jea said that after making his getaway on a motorcycle, he returned to his home. ''Mr Kob'' arrived soon after and collected all the cash except for 10,000 baht, Khun Jea told police.
He was later given 300,000 baht but ''Mr Kob'' later took it back, police were told.
The unsmiling Khun Amnard also says he say none of the proceeds from the robbery. Police say they are continuing to pursue ''Mr Kob.''
