BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai police carried out coordinated raids on 16 October that resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to three separate criminal networks allegedly run by Chinese nationals, authorities said.
Illegal hostel and pharmaceuticals seized in Din Daeng
Police executed a raid on two adjacent buildings on Soi Intharam 49 in the Din Daeng district, seizing unregistered supplements, pharmaceuticals and large quantities of unlicensed Viagra that were reportedly prepared for shipment to customers. Officers also found that the neighbouring property had been illegally converted into a hostel and a livestreaming studio where Buddhist amulets were sold online.
Two Chinese nationals identified as Jinghua, the tenant, and Zhihao, an employee, were detained. They told investigators the rooms were intended only for “foreign acquaintances,” but evidence recovered at the scene contradicted that claim, police said.
Airport arrests linked to recent burglaries
In a separate operation at Suvarnabhumi Airport, officers from Don Mueang police detained two men identified as Li, 38, and Xiaowu, 39, who were attempting to leave the country. Investigators found gold jewellery, Buddhist amulets, Buddha statues, cash and commemorative banknotes in their luggage.
Police tied the items to two apartment burglaries that took place on 14 October in the Soi Soranakorn area. CCTV footage showed suspects climbing fences and forcing entry. In one break-in the thieves reportedly took 28 items from a safe in about 10 minutes, with losses valued at more than 310,000 baht (about 9,500 US dollars).
ATM withdrawal scam disrupted
The Technology Crime Suppression Division arrested a third suspect, 40-year-old Zeng, on Ratchadaphisek Road after he was observed supervising five Thai nationals who were withdrawing cash from ATMs in the Din Daeng district. Zeng had been wanted since 5 September on charges including organised crime, fraud, computer crimes and money laundering, authorities said.
Police said Zeng admitted entering Thailand covertly via the Golden Triangle area in Chiang Rai to lead the operation. Victims linked to the network had reportedly lost more than 640,000 baht.
Investigators note professional methods
Investigators said the three operations displayed hallmarks of professional, mobile criminal networks. “They operated in groups of three, immediately dividing stolen goods to reduce the risk of detection,” an investigator said. Officers also noted a pattern in which suspects entered Thailand on 13 October and had return flights booked for 15 October, a tactic seen in transnational theft rings that strike quickly and depart.
Authorities pursue ringleaders
The raids form part of a broader effort by Thai police to clamp down on international crime networks active in Bangkok. Authorities said they were continuing to search for the organisers and additional members of the groups arrested on 16 October.
The operation and details were reported by KhaoSod English.