PATTAYA, THAILAND – Police in Pattaya arrested two suspects after a luxury home on Khao Phratamnak Hill was burgled and high-end watches worth more than 6.5 million baht were allegedly stolen.
Burglary in upscale Phratamnak neighborhood
The case began on 2 March, when 30‑year‑old Natthaporn reported the break‑in to police together with her foreign husband and their young daughter. According to investigators, two masked intruders climbed over the wall of the property, ransacked the house and fled with high‑value watches.
Police said a Patek Philippe belonging to the husband, valued at around 6 million baht, was taken from the residence. The suspects also allegedly stole a Rolex owned by the daughter, estimated at about 400,000 baht, bringing the total loss to more than 6.4 million baht.
Trail of suspects – CCTV leads to getaway car
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the surrounding area and identified a vehicle they linked to the crime. Rapid follow‑up work led officers to a house in Soi Nern Phlab Wan, where two suspects were arrested.
Police named Krisaphong Boonchan (26) and Nakarin Khemtis (28) as the accused in the case. Officers seized a black Chevrolet with Rayong licence plates and clothing that, according to police, was worn during the burglary.
Confession – luxury watches sold for a fraction
During initial questioning, both men allegedly confessed and told officers they had wanted to convert the watches into cash quickly. According to police, the Rolex was sold in Bangkok for only 55,000 baht, while the Patek Philippe fetched just 110,000 baht at a secondhand shop in Pattaya.
One watch recovered – investigation continues
Officers checked the shop in Pattaya and recovered the Patek Philippe, which was being prepared for return to its owner. The two suspects were charged with joint theft in a residential building at night, taken back to the crime scene for a reconstruction and then held in custody for further legal proceedings.
The case illustrated how a prestigious residential address could quickly become a crime scene and highlighted the risks of trading apparent bargain watches on the secondhand market. It also raised questions about how visible police patrols and private security standards in Pattaya’s villa districts should be in future.