Suvarnabhumi airport: Arrested at the airport immigration office, a 30-year-old Chinese man was preparing to flee to Cambodia, escaping a warrant for a kidnapping and robbery case in the Pattaya area.

According to Thai News Agency, on July 12, 2015, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chengron Rimphidi, Commander of Immigration Bureau Division 2, revealed that under the direction of Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonnalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, and other senior officials, Mr. Hao Yong, of Chinese nationality, was apprehended at the departure immigration checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The arrest followed a tip-off from the Crime Suppression Division of Immigration Bureau 3, indicating that Mr. Hao Yong was preparing to leave for Cambodia on a VZ722 flight while a warrant for his arrest was being requested.

The charges against Mr. Hao Yong stem from an incident on July 10, 2015. He and four accomplices allegedly used firearms to threaten and kidnap a Chinese man in Pattaya, transporting him to a shooting range. During the ordeal, they reportedly stole the victim’s belongings, including a mobile phone and 15,000 baht in cash, and coerced a transfer of 100,000 baht from the victim’s mobile phone before releasing him.

While coordinating with Pattaya City Police, the Pattaya Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Hao Yong, citing charges of joint robbery with a firearm and collaboration with a group of three or more people. The incident was reportedly related to debt collection efforts by a call center group.

Following his arrest, Mr. Hao Yong was informed of his charges and legal rights but denied the allegations and refused to sign the arrest record. He has been taken to the Pattaya City Police Station for further legal proceedings.