From: ssg9328@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Samart Srijumnong)
Subject: The thief fears for his life (fwd: Bkk Post Jan 28)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 07:44:01 GMT
Keywords: Thailand


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Date: Thu, 28 Jan 93 00:28:28+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol@ipied.tu.ac.th>
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To: post-thai@ipied.tu.ac.th
Subject: Bangkok Post Jan 28: The thief fears for his life
Status: RO

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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