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Tuesday, January 28, 2025
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Chinese Men from Laos Rescued in Thailand After Ransom Kidnap

This Week

Seven Chinese men were lured from Laos to Chanuman district, Amnat Charoen, Thailand, with false promises of high-paying jobs before being rescued by Thai authorities.

Initial investigations revealed that soon after their arrival in Thailand, on 23 January, eight people forced the Chinese nationals into a car and forcibly took them to a resort in Phibun Mangsahan district, Ubon Ratchathani Province. There, the captors used a language translation app to demand a ransom of THB 5 million (USD 148,016). After negotiations, the ransom was reduced to THB 500,000 (USD 14,801) per person, according to Thai PBS.

The kidnapped Chinese nationals were later forced to contact their relatives in Laos to arrange the payment. However, they secretly sent their location to their relatives to request help. This allowed the relatives to alert Thai police, prompting an immediate rescue operation by Phibun Mangsahan officers.

Police raided the resort, rescued the seven men, and arrested eight suspects, including three special branch police officers, one border patrol officer, one paramilitary ranger, one Myanmar national, and two Thai civilians.

Meanwhile, the Chinese nationals were charged with illegal entry into Thailand, while the suspects face charges of kidnapping, extortion, abuse of power, and misconduct.

Journalists were barred from photographing the suspects, reportedly to protect the police department’s reputation. Authorities locked the station’s front door and discreetly escorted the suspects through the back entrance to avoid media exposure.

The suspects are set to appear in court on a date yet to be disclosed, as the investigation into the case continues.

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