Pattaya —
The suspects who abducted a 41-year-old Chinese man for a 30-million baht ransom may be Chinese nationals who illegally stayed in Thailand with student visas, according to Deputy National Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn.
Our previous story:
Now for our update:
The abductors have been identified by police, according to Big Joke, but have not been revealed to the press. Some of them are Chinese nationals who hide in the kingdom with student visas, and some have overstayed for more than one year.
An investigation found that the suspects extended their visas at an immigration center in Udon Thani province, while the victim extended his in Phrae province. Big Joke said he would inquire with the Udon Thani and Phrae immigration commissioners on why the suspects could have their visas extended despite the fact that they were not students.
Big Joke also ordered relevant officers to investigate if the victim had a conflict with the suspects about illegal businesses such as a scam call center gang or a drug cartel.
Today, November 1st, the Chonburi forensic team went to search a house Number 12/306 in the Huai Yai subdistrict of Banglamung, Chonburi, after knowing that the victim had been held captive there before being moved to house Number 51/60 in the Nongprue subdistrict of Banglamung, Chonburi.
The Chinese victim was abducted from Walking Street in South Pattaya, according to a police report.
A robe, duct tape, and a knife, which the forensic team believed was used to cut the victim’s pinky finger, were kept as evidence.
Big Joke said only small details could be revealed as of press time. One suspect was arrested this morning but not immediately identified, notes TPN.
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