Thai immigration investigators and Rayong Immigration Police have arrested a Chinese national wanted in China for allegedly operating an illegal foreign exchange business involving transactions worth around 150 million baht. The suspect was found hiding at a hotel in Rayong province after Chinese authorities requested his deportation.
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The arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau to target foreign nationals involved in crime or other unlawful activities under its “Three No’s” policy. Authorities said the operation also involved visa revocation measures against foreigners found to have violated the law.
According to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, Chinese authorities requested the return of Mr Li Xin, who is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Public Security Bureau of Putuo District, Shanghai, on 24 February 2022. He is accused of conducting an illegal business operation.
Investigators allege that since 2019, Mr Li Xin had worked with others to illegally exchange foreign currency for people within China. Authorities said the total value of transactions linked to the operation reached 30 million yuan.
On 14 June 2026, the operation was carried out under the direction of senior Immigration Bureau officers, including Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, along with several deputy commissioners and senior investigative officials.
Pol Col Thawatchai Narinrat, Superintendent of Investigation Division 1 of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division, oversaw the detention of the 35-year-old Chinese national. Authorities confirmed that his visa had been revoked after he was identified as a wanted person under the Chinese arrest warrant.
Officials said Mr Li had been using a student visa while residing in Thailand. Immigration investigators later discovered that he was staying at a hotel in Phe subdistrict, Mueang Rayong district, prompting coordination with Rayong Immigration Police to locate and detain him.
Thaitabloid reported that following his arrest, Mr Li was transferred to Investigation Division 3 of the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division. He will remain in custody pending deportation proceedings and will be returned to China to face legal action related to the alleged offences.
Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 15 June 2026