STRATEGIC PARTNERS
January 6, 2003
BANGKOK, Thailand -- The cash courier who bolted with 11.5 million baht (about $267,000 U.S.) says he stole his employer's money because the firm was mean to its staff.
(See related story Thai armored courier takes off with ATM cash)
According to a report in the Bangkok Post, police found 30-year-old Krongsit Kamsuangjik, an employee of Siam Administrative Management Co., hiding on the roof of his home with 2.5 million baht (about $58,417) of the missing money.
They believe the rest of the money is with one of his accomplices.
During a routine cash replenishment call, Krongsit took off with 11.5 million baht, leaving 42 million baht (about $975,400) in the van. He was working with several security staff who left the vehicle at the second ATM stop, near a mini-mart on Ram Intra road, when he drove off.
Police also arrested Krongsit's brothers, 33-year-old Chamlong Kamsuangjik and 37-year-old Boonlert Kamsuangjik. They are still searching for another suspect, Sawai Kongrub.
Chamlong denied involvement in the theft itself, but he did admit he conspired with Sawai to insert a card covered with glue into the mini-mart's ATM. When security staff found the machine was not working, they left the van to fix it -- giving Krongsit his chance to flee.
Police believe the rest of the missing money is with Sawai.
Krongsit said he had planned the theft for a month because the firm had refused to give employees a pay rise or a bonus for two years. He had told colleagues before the New Year to expect ``something to happen' if their pay did not increase.
Krongsit said he had made copies of the keys to the van's safe.
After driving off with the cash, he abandoned the van in Bangkok's outskirts and fled with the money. Krongsit said he did not take all of the cash as he did not commit the crime for the money alone.
"If I'd had a lighter with me I would have burnt the cash right then and there,' he said in the Post report.
Krongsit also apologized to his parents and family for disappointing them.
