BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai police arrested four men accused of abducting a Chinese national in Bangkok, assaulting him and stealing around 10,000 dollars in cash and cryptocurrency.
Abduction on central Bangkok street
The 35-year-old Chinese man had been waiting for a taxi on Mahaseth Road on 1 November when a Toyota sedan with three men pulled up. Two Thai nationals and a South Korean allegedly jumped out, attacked him and forced him into the vehicle, starting what was described as minutes of ordeal.
“They took me to an underground car park at an unknown location,”
said the victim, who told police he was then beaten mercilessly.
Cash seized and cryptocurrency forced transfer
According to investigators, the assailants searched the victim’s bag and found 50,000 baht (about 1,540 dollars) in cash, but were not satisfied. They allegedly compelled him to transfer 9,375 USDT in cryptocurrency to an account that could be linked to the South Korean suspect Lee. Only after stripping him of both cash and digital assets did they release him near Maleenont Tower on Rama IV Road, leaving him deeply traumatised.
Step-by-step arrests at airport and condo
Police said they moved quickly to track the group, staking out likely escape points. The first suspect, 35-year-old Nattapong, was detained on 10 November at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Officers arrested Chanon (24) on 12 November and Tanaphat (29) on 18 November, before finally apprehending alleged ringleader Lee (46) on 23 November at a condominium on Sukhumvit Soi 24, calling it an international policing success.
Ringleader denies charges, evidence links suspects
The arrested South Korean, Lee, rejected all accusations, claiming the victim allegedly owed him money. Investigators countered that the evidence indicated otherwise and said they could prove a criminal connection between Lee and Thai suspect Nattapong.
“The two younger Thai suspects did not receive any money from the robbery,”
said the investigators, adding that they apparently acted only as henchmen.
Serious charges and harsh penalties expected
All four men now faced charges of robbery involving a vehicle, unlawful detention and bodily harm. Authorities stated that Thai courts took such violent crimes extremely seriously and that long prison sentences were likely. For the Chinese victim, however, the shock ran deep and his trust in Bangkok’s safety was said to be severely shaken.
Police warn foreigners over targeted gangs
Officials said the case highlighted the darker side of the otherwise cosmopolitan metropolis, where criminal gangs were believed to target wealthy foreigners in particular. Police advised increased caution, especially in sparsely frequented areas and at night, and urged people not to leave valuables visible in cars. While Thai authorities stressed the speed of the arrests, they acknowledged that the danger of further attacks remained real and urged everyone to stay vigilant.