Two Chinese nationals were detained at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday night on suspicion of stealing a 10-million-baht diamond from the jewellery fair being held at Impact Muang Thong Thani.
Pak Kret police were informed by an exhibitor at the fair that a couple who appeared to be Chinese nationals had switched a fake diamond for a genuine six-karat diamond worth around 10 million baht on the first day of the fair.
Manthana Viyakaew, a sales assistant at M Tarun Co, said the two foreigners, a man and a woman, inquired about the price of the diamond on display and asked to look at it around 11.30 am on Thursday.
After a brief discussion, the two returned the diamond and left. Ms Manthana examined the gemstone they returned and realised it was a fake and immediately contacted the fair organiser for assistance.
A review of security camera footage showed the couple left the fair by taxi. Police contacted immigration officials to watch for the duo, sending them images from the video footage.
Immigration police later detained a Chinese couple whose appearance matched the video images. They denied stealing the diamond and said they were just tourists visiting Thailand and about to return home. Police did not find the stolen diamond with them.
The sales assistant was asked if she could identify them and confirmed they were the couple who asked to see the real diamond.
Pol Col Withit Chaniam, deputy superintendent of Pak Kret police station, said police would use witness accounts and images to support a request to the court for arrest warrants for the two detained Chinese nationals, and hold them pending further investigation.
He said they were believed be part of a seven-member Chinese gang. Police had been able to arrest another two suspects in Sa Kaeo province, and two more at a hotel in Yaowarat area. One had already left the country.
The police investigation was continuing.
The two Chinese nationals after they were detained at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday night on suspicion of theft of a 10-million-baht diamond from the annual jewellery fair at Impact Muang Thong Thani. (Photo by Pongpat Wongyala)