HAT YAI, Thailand – A lone thief armed with a lighter-shaped gun robbed a convenience store, making off with a bottle of liquor and nearly 3,000 baht in cash before police apprehended him in under an hour. The suspect, previously involved in a violent family incident as a teenager, was swiftly taken into custody.
On September 17, the incident occurred at the Big C Mini branch at Ko Mee Market along Kanjanarames Road in Khlong Hae subdistrict. Surveillance cameras captured the young man, wearing a beanie and a face mask, entering the store and attempting to buy a bottle of alcohol. When the female staff refused because the store had passed the legal selling hour, he pulled out a lighter gun to threaten her and demanded both the alcohol and cash from the register.
Terrified, the employee handed over 19 100-baht bills and 46 20-baht bills, totaling 2,820 baht. The thief then fled the scene. Police at Hat Yai Station reviewed CCTV footage and quickly located the suspect less than one kilometer from the store along Kanjanarames Road.
Police recovered the stolen liquor, cash, and the lighter gun used in the robbery. The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Buranin Pongsuphanat, also known as “Ray.” Investigators also discovered a pre-written note on his phone intended to intimidate staff:
“Read carefully. I have a gun on my left hip. I won’t use violence unless necessary, so don’t do anything stupid. Otherwise, I’ll make this place a mess. Send all bills from the drawer. If you understand, nod and return the phone.”
Buranin admitted to pre-planning the robbery. He initially scouted another convenience store in Nam Noi subdistrict but abandoned the attempt due to crowds. He then walked approximately 2 kilometers to the Ko Mee branch, choosing a quieter location to carry out the crime.
The female employee praised the police for their quick action and recalled how she and a colleague complied out of fear after the suspect threatened them.
Buranin now faces charges of armed robbery at night and concealing his identity. Police records reveal that in June 2020, when he was 17, he used a 6-inch kitchen knife to stab his mother 12 times, leaving her critically injured. He was subsequently detained at a juvenile facility for 11 months before release.
