The Blue Diamond Affair is a series of unresolved crimes and embittered diplomatic relations triggered by the 1989 theft of gems belonging to the House of Saud by a Thai employee.
[1] In 1989, Kriangkrai Techamong, a Thai worker, stole 91 kg (200 pounds)[2]: 183 of jewellery and other valuable gems from the palace of Prince Faisal bin Fahd, where he was employed as a servant.
[6] A Royal Thai Police investigation headed by Lieutenant-General Chalor Kerdthes led to Kriangkrai's arrest, Santhi's interrogation and the recovery of most of the stolen jewellery.
[7] In Bangkok, rumours spread in the local press that charity gala photos captured a number of government officials' wives wearing diamond necklaces resembling those stolen from the Saudi palace.
[9] Prior to his disappearance, on 4 January 1989, a Saudi diplomat was murdered in Si Lom, Bang Rak District, Bangkok.
"[11] Lieutenant-General Chalor was later charged and convicted of ordering the 1995 murder of the wife and son of a gem dealer allegedly involved in the affair, and he was sentenced to death.
[18] On 17 March 2016 Kriangkrai Techamong, then 65, told reporters at his home in Lampang that he would become a monk for the remainder of his life to repent for his dishonest actions.
[14] On 22 March 2019, Thailand's Supreme Court acquitted five police officers charged with the abduction and murder of Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili in 1990.