PATTAYA, Thailand – A Chinese woman and her daughter were freed after a suspected kidnapping in Bang Lamung. Police tracked them using CCTV footage.
The mother and child were released early on August 6 at around 2:30 AM in Soi Na Kluea 16. Officers took them and several suspects to the police station for questioning.
Husband reports disappearance
The husband went to Bang Lamung police station on August 5 at 5:05 PM. He said his wife and daughter had been taken from their home.
He told police he used to work for a Chinese group. He escaped from them and feared they took his family to stop him from filing a complaint.
Video call reveals fear
During the investigation, the husband received a video call from his wife. She looked terrified and cried but could not say where she was being held.
Police reviewed security camera footage. It showed the woman and child leaving a housing estate in Rong Po with a Chinese woman they knew. They got into a car.
Tracked to a resort
The investigation led officers to a resort in Nong Pla Lai. The suspects then switched vehicles and moved the victims to another location.
When the alleged kidnappers realised police were following them, they let the woman and her daughter go. Officers took all involved to the station.
Wife’s story contradicts investigation
In her first statement, the woman said she had argued with her husband. She claimed she went with the group voluntarily and just wanted to stay elsewhere.
Police doubt her account. They said evidence and witness statements contain contradictions. They are now checking the details.
Husband allegedly held for a month
Investigators suspect the husband had worked with the group before. After he tried to escape, they allegedly held him for about a month.
Police are looking into whether the case links to a cross-border criminal network or a call centre scam. They are also checking relationships and money flows between those involved.
Liu Minglong arrested on warrant
During checks on the suspects, officers found Liu Minglong, a 37-year-old Chinese national. He had overstayed his visa in Thailand by 56 days.
Liu had been wanted since June on a warrant from the Pattaya Provincial Court. The case involves fraud, forging and using fake official documents, and false statements in a computer system. He was taken into custody for legal proceedings.