Pattaya, Thailand – A daring kidnapping and robbery unfolded in the early hours of July 10th, 2025, when a group of assailants, posing as police officers, abducted a Chinese national in front of a noodle shop on Pattaya North Road. CCTV footage captured the chilling moment at approximately 5:27 AM, showing two men dressed in black forcibly dragging the victim into a white SUV.
The incident occurred outside a Chinese noodle and food shop in Moo 6 in Naklua. According to a witness, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, the victim, identified as Mr. Lin, 52, was with two other Chinese nationals eating at the shop, which operates primarily at night. After finishing their meal, the group began to part ways. One drove off in a black Toyota Fortuner, another walked into a nearby alley, and Mr. Lin remained, waiting for a ride booked through the Bolt app. Moments later, a white SUV pulled up, and two men in black hoodies emerged, forcibly pushing Mr. Lin into the vehicle. The witness reported hearing the assailants shout, “I police, you call center,” leading them to initially believe the men were law enforcement officers apprehending a suspect.
Mr. Lin later reported to Pattaya City Police Station at around 9:00 AM on the same day, detailing the ordeal. He stated to reporters that four men, claiming to be police, accused him of being involved in a call center scam. They restrained his hands behind his back and held him at gunpoint—though it remains unclear if the weapon was a firearm. The assailants, communicating in a mix of Thai and broken English, searched him and stole an iPhone 13 Pro, an Oppo 16 Pro, 15,000 baht in cash, and a pair of prescription glasses. Additionally, they forced a transfer of 150,000 baht from a Chinese bank account via a mobile app. After robbing him, the suspects drove Mr. Lin to a shooting range along the railway road, approximately 9 kilometers from the crime scene, where they released him, returning only his room keycard.
Distraught and shaken, Mr. Lin sought help from a security guard at the shooting range, who contacted his friends and alerted the police. The total value of the stolen property and money is estimated at over 230,000 baht.
Pattaya police investigators have since visited the crime scene and are reviewing CCTV footage to track the suspects’ movements. The cameras captured the white SUV turning into Soi Paniad Chang, heading toward Pattaya North Road, and later appearing near Soi Chaiyaphruek 2, where Mr. Lin was released. Authorities are withholding further details to avoid tipping off the suspects but have pledged to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
The security guard at the shooting range confirmed that Mr. Lin appeared terrified when seeking assistance, prompting immediate action to notify the police. The case has raised concerns about safety in the bustling tourist city, with authorities now intensifying efforts to apprehend the culprits behind this brazen crime.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
