Phuket Immigration announced the arrest during a briefing on Jan 20, after tracking the suspect to a residence in Phuket City following intelligence received from the Immigration Bureau’s Foreign Affairs Division.
The arrest took place at about 3:30pm under the direction of Phuket Immigration Police Chief Pol Col Khemachat Wattananapakasem.
The operation was led by Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Wisarut La-iad-ong and Immigration Police Inspector Pol Maj Adisorn Boonchum, along with officers from the Phuket Immigration Police investigation unit.
Police reported that the suspect was the subject of an active Interpol arrest warrant and was wanted for allegedly operating a construction company that colluded in project bidding, resulting in widespread fraud and financial losses exceeding B100 million.
Following a joint investigation, officers confirmed that the wanted individual was living in Phuket Town. Immigration Police then deployed surveillance teams to monitor the area until the suspect appeared.
Once the suspect was positively identified, officers moved in, identified themselves and carried out the arrest. Police presented the Interpol warrant at the scene before taking the suspect into custody, Phuket Immigration reported.
However, the location where the arrest took place was not reported.
Phuket Immigration also did not identify the man by name.
Immigration officials confirmed that the man’s visa was immediately revoked and that deportation procedures were initiated to return him to face legal proceedings in the requesting jurisdiction.
Pol Col Khemachat said the arrest was carried out in line with the Immigration Bureau’s strict policy aimed at preventing and suppressing foreign nationals who enter Thailand to commit crimes, including transnational offences.
“This includes foreigners involved in criminal networks, call centre gangs, those unlawfully taking jobs from Thai citizens, or those establishing companies using Thai nationals as nominees,” he said.
He added that Phuket Immigration Police would continue to enforce rigorous screening and monitoring measures to identify and remove individuals who pose a risk to public safety and national security.
“Our goal is to build confidence in the safety of life and property for the public, as well as for foreign tourists who travel to Phuket legally,” Pol Col Khemachat said.
Immigration Police reiterated that cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol, remains a key component of efforts to combat transnational crime on the island.