Standard Chartered robbery: Suspect a first-time visitor to Singapore

The man suspected of robbing Standard Charted Bank's Holland Village branch on Jul 7 was making his first visit to Singapore, according to Police Major-General Apichat Suriboonya, who is the head of Interpol Bangkok. 

Mr Suriboonya told Channel NewsAsia on Tuesday (Jul 12) that the man, who is from Canada, had been to Thailand "many times", according to records. The suspect was arrested on Sunday at a hotel in Bangkok's Pratunam district, he added, and is now in detention in Thailand's Immigration Department. 

When asked about the suspect's release to Singapore, Mr Suriboonya said he understands Singapore had already sent an extradition request to Thailand's Attorney General's Office, and that it is being considered by the Thai prosecutor. 

More details will be revealed at a press conference in Thailand on Wednesday, he added. 

The suspect allegedly made off with S$30,000 from the bank last Thursday. He left for Bangkok on the same day shortly after the crime was reported, the Singapore Police Force said on Monday.