Now it's been some time since Canadian David James Roach made shockwaves here in lil' old Singapore on July 7 for pulling off a historic and successful bank robbery, making off with $30,000 cash without needing to pull out a single weapon.

Where we last left off, Singapore had filed a request to extradite the 27-year-old to the Thai embassy in Singapore, where he can then be arrested and charged for his alleged crime.

Just Saturday morning, though, more than a month on, we learned of the outcome of this request — a flat no.

Thailand's reason, as reported by The Straits Times:

"We denied it because we are not in the position to consider it."

In most Singaporeans, that might incite an "Orh" or a "Like that also can?". But here's how two key public intellectuals in Singapore responded to this:

1.  Singapore ambassador-at-large Bilahari Kausikan:

"Thailand is probably trying to ingratiate itself with the west because the military junta has been under criticism since the coup and the recent referendum was widely seen as an attempt to perpetuate military rule in another guise. This is silly as I doubt the Canadians or the west generally will really be impressed. Thailand has on previous occasions handed suspects over with little regard for legal formalities. For example not so long ago they had summarily deported in the dead of night a large number of Uighurs suspected of wanting to join ISIS back to China knowing full well that they will face brutal interrogation and detention without trial or worse. So this new found punctiliousness is unusual to say the least. So now we will have to get him back from Canada. It will take time but I have no doubt he will face justice in the end. Remember the Romanian diplomat wanted for hit-and-run driving that killed someone. He escaped to this own country but we harried and hounded him until he was put on trial there and was bankrupted and died in jail. This Canadian idiot didn't kill anyone but I am confident he will not escape either."

2. Prominent economist and political analyst Donald Low:

"Before we jump on the Thai authorities for not extraditing the bank robber to Singapore, we should ask why Singapore doesn't have an Extradition Treaty with Thailand. Once you figure out the answer to that, you will also realize that Thailand's decision is entirely rational and predictable."

Now, here's what will happen next: because the Thai authorities have revoked his right to stay in Thailand, he is now due to be deported to Canada, as an immigration offender.

According to The Straits Times, Thailand's immigration police chief said the Canadian government has requested his deportation to his home country.

At the same time, however, Thailand is still processing a request from Singapore to examine the items found on Roach upon his arrest in Bangkok.

These include 700,000 Thai Baht (S$27,000) in cash, a notebook containing plans for a robbery, a message that he allegedly wrote in the note he passed to the Standard Chartered bank teller, as well as detailed plans for escape through Chiang Mai and Dubai.

So it's anyone's guess at this point when he'll be sent back to Canada, whereupon Singapore will then have to negotiate with them for any hopes of bringing Roach to justice.

Meanwhile, our police reportedly say they are still working with Thai authorities on this matter.

In case you forgot what happened here:

People from StanChart robbery suspect’s hometown react to news of his arrest

StanChart robbery suspect allegedly had S$5 Baker & Cook strawberry cake after S$30,000 windfall

A complete timeline of the Standard Chartered robbery in 60 seconds

Singapore Police confirms that suspected bank robber was caught in Thailand

The Holland Village bank robbery was so unexpected because it’s the first in a long time

Standard Chartered bank has been robbed 3 times in S’pore already

Top image: File, provided by Bangkok immigration authorities

If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.