Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1993 13:27:37 EST
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Thief fears for life

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 93 00:28:28+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol@ipied.tu.ac.th>
Subject: Bangkok Post Jan 28: The thief fears for his life

By Subin Khuenkaew in Lampang KRIANGKRAI Techamong, 42, thought
his troubles were over when he came out of jail five months ago
after doing time for the 500-million-baht theft of Saudi royal
family jewellery.

"Now it's coming back to me. I knew my life was in danger after I
learnt that they (the authorities) were again reviving the jewelry
theft case," said Kriangkrai, who worked in the palace of Prince
Faisal Fahad Abdulaziz al Saud from which he stole the gems in
1989 before his arrest with the items in Thailand the following
year.

Kriangkrai was sentenced to five years' jail for the theft. He was
released after three years because of his good conduct in prison.

During breakfast at his home in Thern District, Kriangkrai said he
had learnt his lesson and had promised never to get involved in
this kind of "evil conduct" again.

Since coming out of prison, Kriangkrai has helped his wife,
Thongpien, make a living by working on all kinds of labouring jobs
for which he earns about 100 baht a day.

He said his life in prison was hard.  He is enjoying the reunion
with his family and he wants his happiness to last.

Kriangkrai leaves his house very early each day on his old
motorcycle to seek jobs from neighbours before returning home
after dusk.

"But we are happy the way we are as long as nobody interferes with
our lives," Kriangkrai said while sitting on the floor of his old
wooden house and preparing glutinous rice to eat with salt and
salad.

"I think they (government officials) still believe that I may
still hold some of the jewellery. "(If so) I wouldn't be this way.
I would have gone elsewhere to enjoy the fortune."

Kriangkrai admitted that he had committed the crime in Saudi
Arabia but he said the theft from the palace might not have been
his work alone.

Four other Thais and a Filipina also worked in the palace and had
access to the room where the jewellery was kept.

"The jewellery could have been stolen on several occasions. When I
entered the room to steal, the cabinet in which the jewellery was
kept was unlocked. The key was left in the lock.

"I took out velvet boxes. Many of them did not have any jewellery
inside. I chose only the boxes with valuables. It is possible that
other persons might have taken things from that cabinet before,"
Kriangkrai said.

He said he put the stolen jewellery inside a bag and hid it in an
adjoining room. He carried some of the items in person when he
returned to Thailand after the theft. The rest of the jewellery
was sent to Thailand by air on a different flight.

He said he could not remember all the jewellery he had stolen
because there were many items. He sold some to local gemsmiths,
some of whom are now facing legal action for buying the items.

"I can't remember the items because there were a lot and it has
been many years since the theft," said Kriangkrai, admitting he
had not realised that some of the items were so valuable.

"You can believe that because I wore some of the stolen items such
as rings," he said.

He insisted, however, that he had returned all the jewellery to
the police after his arrest.

Policemen had repeatedly searched his home and those of his
relatives but had failed to find more items.

Kriangkrai said he learned that Prince Faisal wanted him back in
Saudi Arabia but he understood the Government did not want to sent
him back.

"My relatives feared that I would be killed if I was sent back at
that time.

"It was the hardest time in my life, especially when I was in
jail. Even when I was inside, policemen were also sent to see me.

"I am sure this will not end easily as long as the prince does not
have all of his valuables back," he said.

Kriangkrai, who at first refused to see a reporter, said he had
consulted his father, Sab, and had decided he will no longer talk
about the theft.

"I am not going to say anything more to anybody except the prime
minister and the interior minister," Kriangkrai said.

Sab said he and his son had made the decision because they
realised that only the two ministers can guarantee their safety.

"If we agree to talk to one person, others will follow and there
will be no end to it," said Sab, 62.

He said he thanked Ge Xrhavalit for taking good care of his son by
ordering protection for him.

"But we are resigned to the fact that nothing can prevent us from
death if the time comes. But anybody wanting to hurt him must step
over my body first," Sab said.

Sab said that his wife suffers from heart disease and has not been
told about all the problems his son is facing.

"I don't want her to know anything about it. This is enough for
us," he said.

Meanwhile the Central Investigation Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt-Gen
Thanu Homhual yesterday told the House Committee on Foreign
Relations Saudi authorities were placing greatest emphasis on
solving the jewellery case and they wanted the valuables returned.

But repreentatives of two job placement agencies which also
offered testimony to the committee, Nuch Manpower and KAM, claimed
the disappearance of Saudi businessman Mohammed al-Ruwaili almost
three years ago was foremost in the Saudis' minds.

Deputy committee spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang said Pol Lt-Gen
Thanu told the committee the police teams investigating the murder
of three Saudi embassy officials had found it difficult obtaining
evidence here in Thailand and from Saudi officials.

He said the committee sympathised with the police for having to
deal with foreign criminals who are still at large.

Committee chairman Krasae Chanawong said the committq   ee
together with officials from the Police Department and Foreign
Ministry may have to meet in small groups to discuss ways to
improve relations with Riyadh.

"Perhaps, we should have enough courage to tell the Saudis we
cannot solve those cases despite our utmost efforts," he said.

Police Department Director-General Pol Gen Sawat Amornviwat told
the House committee on Government Affairs yesterday the police
needed several days to examine the investigating reports before
concluding the cases.

He said mistakes in the past had been caused by hasty decisions by
senior officials.
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