CHON BURI — Police say the 2-million-baht robbery at the residence of a British chef and his Thai wife in Bang Lamung district was thoroughly planned, involving three getaway vehicles.

Three suspects have been detained for questioning.

Investigators believe the robbers deliberately targeted the couple, knowing they had just withdrawn two million baht to purchase a house, Pol Col Natthaphon Phongsuksakul, chief of the Nong Prue police station, said on Saturday.

The robbery occurred late Thursday night at a two‑storey townhouse in Chokchai Village 9 housing estate in tambon Nong Prue, belonging to Wesleigh Cyril Russell, 32, a British national working as a chef, and his wife, Chandee, 34.

Both were at home with a British friend when three hooded men broke into the townhouse. Mr Russell was threatened by a suspect holding a knife to his neck and demanding to know where the money was kept.

The suspects fled with the couple’s smartphones and a safe containing two million baht. Police suspect the robbers were foreigners.

Surveillance video revealed the gang used three vehicles in the operation to confuse pursuers, Pol Col Natthaphon said. The first was a black Ford pickup truck driven to the couple’s residence.

After fleeing, they discarded the stolen phones near Soi Nong Krabok, then continued toward Sukhumvit Road. They later stopped near Wat Bun Kanchanaram and switched to a white SUV.

Their route continued to an apartment about 8 or 9 kilometres from the victims’ house. Police believed they opened the safe and divided the cash at this location.

Later, another black Ford pickup arrived to pick up the gang before heading toward Muang district via Sukhumvit Road, Pol Col Natthaphon said.

The investigation is advancing, he said.