Malaysian suspect appears in Thai court

SONGKHLA, Jan 27 (TNA) -- A Malaysian gang leader who committed murders and robberies in both Thailand and his home country appears at court in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, on Thursday. Thai police arrested the 53-year-old man, who uses fake identity, on Tuesday for robbing a goldsmith shop in Hat Yai on January 6, snatching jewelry worth Bt2.3 million. He was a suspect in the murders of two Thai nationals back in 2014. Thai police have worked with their Malaysian counterparts in prosecuting the man believed to be a gang leader who also has criminal records in Malaysia. Malaysian media reports say he is wanted in connection with a gold shop heist in Butterworth, Penang. He reportedly escaped to Thailand and went into hiding in Chiang Mai for 10 years. Hat Yai police say the man faces three charges of robbery, illegal possession of firearms and murders. (END)