A former deputy manager of a private transport company has been arrested for robbing a gold shop, saying he did so to pay off his online gambling debt.

Thong Lor police on Saturday were apprehended the 44-year-old man, identified only as Methee, near the Kluai Nam Thai intersection. He was suspected of making off with a necklace of one-baht weight (15.2 grammes) and worth about 32,200 baht at current prices, from a shop in a department store on Rama IV Road.

The man matched the description of an individual who entered the shop on the evening of Sept 3, pretending to be a customer. He quickly seized the necklace while the staff were momentarily distracted.

Authorities tracked the suspect through surveillance video and found him on Saturday morning, still wearing the clothes seen on the day of theft.

The suspect reportedly acted suspiciously as police approached him while he was attempting to enter a hotel. Upon searching him, the officers discovered a pawn ticket, which has been confiscated as evidence.

Police said Mr Methee admitted to the crime and explained that his online gambling addiction had driven him to steal the gold when he could not keep up with his debt.

He confessed to having planned the crime for two days before carrying it out. He added that he was a deputy sales manager of a renowned private transport company.

Police have charged him with daytime larceny, and he is currently being detained at the Thong Lor police station.