Tourist Police confirmed that the arrest was made at about 8:30pm last night (Feb 20) after officers on duty received an alert from an AI-linked surveillance camera at Phuket International Airport.
The camera system, connected to the Crime Suppression Division’s arrest warrant database, flagged a man matching the details of a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court (No. 166/2569), dated Feb 12, 2026.
The warrant names Chomthawat Plai-in, 29, who is accused of jointly using another person’s electronic card unlawfully in a manner likely to cause damage to others or the public, including the illegal use of electronic payment cards and unauthorised cash withdrawals.
Following the alert, Pol Lt Col. Ekachai Siri, Superintendent of Tourist Police Division 1, Subdivision 2, Tourist Police Bureau 3, coordinated with Pol Col Chatree Chukaew, Superintendent of Phuket City Police Station, and Pol Lt Col Kant Aksornthong before officers travelled to the area in front of a hotel on Bang Yai Rd in Wichit.
At the scene, officers located Mr Chomthawat and presented the arrest warrant. He was taken into custody and transferred to Phuket Tourist Police to complete the arrest record before being handed over to investigators at Phuket City Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Police said the arrest stems from complaints lodged by more than 20 people who claimed they were left with unexpectedly high financial obligations after receiving services at a beauty clinic in Phuket.
According to investigators, the victims alleged that the fees ultimately charged were far higher than what had been explained before they agreed to undergo treatment. Many believed they were signing up for cosmetic procedures costing tens of thousands of baht, only to later discover instalment plans or credit arrangements amounting to hundreds of thousands of baht.
The combined damages reported by the group are estimated at more than B3.7 million.
In an earlier report, the group said some victims believed they had agreed only to promotional packages or benefit exchanges offered by the clinic. However, they later found what appeared to be loan or finance agreements linked to their names.
One complainant alleged that actions were taken using their mobile phone during a procedure, and that documents resembling loan contracts were later discovered without having been clearly explained. Some also claimed they did not receive notification messages at the time, leaving them unaware of the debt until much later.
Investigators at Phuket City Police Station gathered evidence from the complainants before seeking court approval for the arrest warrant.
Police said that upon arrest, Mr Chomthawat admitted he was the person named in the warrant and stated that he had not previously been arrested in connection with the case. He remains in custody pending further legal action.