Bangkok: Immigration police and the Crime Suppression Division teamed up to arrest four Chinese nationals, dismantling a transnational debt collection gang. This operation was conducted in accordance with the policy of the Royal Thai Police, under the direction of Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner General of Police, along with Police General Samran Nuanma, Deputy Commissioner General and Director of the Crime Suppression Division, Police Lieutenant General Jirapop Phuridej, Assistant Commissioner General and Deputy Director of the Crime Suppression Division, Police Lieutenant General Natthasak Chaowanasai, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, and Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, Commander of the Immigration Bureau. They instructed Police Major General Sophon Saraphat, Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Police Major General Panthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau, Police Major General Pattanasak Bubphasuwan, Commander of the Crime Suppres sion Division, and Police Major General Songprot Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, to carry out the operation.
According to Thai News Agency, a coordinated investigation and suppression operation involving forces from the Crime Suppression Division and Immigration Bureau 3, led by Acting Pol. Col. Netiwit Thanasitnitikul, Commander of Division 2, Crime Suppression Division; Acting Pol. Col. Suriya Puangsombat, Commander of the Investigation Division, Immigration Bureau 3; and Pol. Col. Naphasphong Khositsuriyamanee, Commander of Chonburi Immigration Office, resulted in the search and arrest of four individuals wanted by Chinese authorities. This effectively brought an end to a debt collection gang that extorted money from victims through violence.
On March 20, 2025, the Fengnan Security Bureau in Tangshan City, People's Republic of China, issued arrest warrants for four key suspects on charges of illegal business activities, causing public disturbance, and illegal debt collection. Suspect 1, as the "leader," ordered suspects 2, 3, and 4 to lend money at exorbitant interest rates to over 40 victims in China. When victims failed to pay on time, suspects 2 and 3 would abduct them, confine them in a rented room, and, in collusion with suspect 4, beat and torture them to extort money. The investigation began when the Investigation Division of the Immigration Bureau 3 had been monitoring the movements of suspicious foreigners in Chonburi Province. They discovered that the four suspects were wanted by Chinese authorities and gathered evidence linking their activities to the gang. The suspects were found to pose a threat to national security and public order, and preparations are underway to revoke their permits to stay in the Kingdom.
Subsequently, additional information and coordination were received from the Crime Suppression Division 2, which expanded its investigation and discovered a hideout in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. It was confirmed that the suspects were members of a Chinese mafia gang wanted on arrest warrants and had fled to hide in Thailand. A joint operation was then launched. It was found that the suspects deliberately evaded detection by failing to register their vehicles and refusing to conduct transactions in their own names or passports. Following the investigation, the team successfully located suspects 2 and 3 in Takhian Tia Subdistrict, while suspect 1 resided with suspect 4 in Huai Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District. Authorities closely monitored the daily lives of all four, and the Immigration Bureau revoked the permits of Mr. A, Mr. B, and Ms. A to stay in the Kingdom. Additionally, it was discovered that Mr. C was an overstaying foreigner. A search warrant was obtained from the Pattaya Provincial Court, leading to a raid on two luxury homes in Bang Lamung District. All four suspects were apprehended.
The suspects were transferred to Division 3, Immigration Bureau, and will be deported back to their home country to face legal proceedings. The public is warned to avoid borrowing money from unauthorized lending applications or foreign investment groups, as they often involve exorbitant interest rates and illegal debt collection practices.