PATTAYA, THAILAND – A former Chinese bank manager accused of embezzling more than 10 million baht in his home country was arrested in Pattaya by immigration police.
Arrest over alleged multimillion-baht fraud
The suspect, identified as Yao Ming, 38, was taken into custody on charges of illegal entry and unlawful stay in Thailand, while his alleged multimillion-baht embezzlement in China continued to be investigated. Thai authorities said Yao had previously worked for Lanzhou Bank in China and had served as a branch manager there in 2025.
Tip-off from China triggers search in Pattaya
On 11 February, Pol Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 3, ordered an investigation into a fugitive suspect in eastern Thailand following a tip-off from a Chinese informant. Together with Pol Col Chinawut Tangwongslerd and Pol Col Suriya Phuangsomboon, he assembled a team tasked with locating the man in the popular tourist city of Pattaya.
Two weeks of covert surveillance at condominium
Pol Col Suriya then led an operations team that conducted covert surveillance for two weeks and identified a suspicious Chinese national living in a condominium in Pattaya. Investigators noticed that the man had used a Chinese national ID card instead of a passport with the building management, which they viewed as unusual for a foreigner.
9 February stop reveals lack of legal entry
On 9 February, Pol Lt Col Thongthai Phairoh observed the suspect leaving his room and used the opportunity to stop him and request his passport. The man was identified as Yao Ming, aged 38, but checks on his passport and biometric data showed no record of any legal entry into the kingdom.
Alleged embezzlement scheme at Lanzhou Bank
According to Thai authorities, Yao was suspected of using inactive accounts in the names of third parties to record fictitious transactions while serving as a branch manager at Lanzhou Bank. He allegedly transferred around 2.2 million yuan to other accounts, withdrew the money and then fled China.
Flight through neighbouring countries and open extradition issue
A report in the newspaper Matichon stated that after his escape, Yao initially stayed in neighbouring countries in the region, including Laos and Cambodia, before his trail led to Pattaya. Thai police eventually arrested him there and handed him over to investigators but have not yet disclosed any details about possible extradition proceedings.
Questions over Thailand as a refuge
Thai media coverage also raised broader concerns about the country’s role as a haven for financial fugitives.
“A suspected multi‑million fraudster went to ground in Pattaya without any official entry record. Only after intensive surveillance did investigators move in.”
said Matichon, in a report questioning whether Thailand was becoming increasingly attractive as a hideout for international economic criminals.