Police say that about 100 out of the estimated 1,000 gold shops in Bangkok are in robbery-prone locations and advise the owners to step up security for the safety of the public and tourists.
Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelabut, a deputy national police chief, said on Tuesday that operators of shops in high-crime “red zones” should consider employing trained security guards, installing security bars and making sure their insurance coverage is adequate.
“This issue has an impact on the economy and the safety of people including tourists,” he said.
He urged gold shop operators to cooperate, saying that some had ignored safety recommendations from police in the past. Insurance firms should raise premiums for operators that fail to improve security, he said.
Pol Gen Thatchai made the comments at a meeting on security measures for the gold retail business at the Phra Khanong police station in Bangkok on Tuesday.
Participants discussed tougher security measures in the wake of a robbery at a gold shop in a shopping mall on Sukhumvit Soi 50 in Phra Khanong sub-district of Khlong Toey district in Bangkok last Friday.
The robber made off with about 15 million baht worth of gold ornaments and cash and remains at large. The robbery was the latest in an increasing number of gold shop attacks in light of soaring prices.
In the last 12 months, the local price for gold bars has risen 56%, with prices on Feb 3 quoted at 73,300 baht per baht-weight (15.2 grammes)
Pol Gen Thatchai said that apart from preventive measures at gold shops, police need to devote more resources to investigations and catch suspects in gold robberies within one to two weeks at the most.
The Royal Thai Police Office ordered stations nationwide to encourage gold shop operators in their areas to adopt tougher security, he said.
Many gold shops are small outlets opened operating in shopping centers, and crime in such locations threatens public safety because of the of customers.
Source: Bangkok Post