A Chinese passenger is facing legal action after allegedly damaging two automatic passport control gates and verbally abusing immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan. The incident happened at the airport’s outbound immigration Zone 2 on 13 May at about 2.35pm, with authorities estimating damage at around 450,000 baht to 480,000 baht.
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Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthiphong Panthaisong, an investigator at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station, received a complaint from immigration officers following the incident. Police Captain Saranwit Kaewkhoto said the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Chinese national Liwei Zheng, became aggressive while attempting to pass through the Automated Border Control checkpoint before boarding Spring Airlines flight 9C7282 to China.
According to officials, Zheng failed to follow the machine instructions correctly after placing his boarding pass on the passport scanner, causing the first gate not to open. He then reportedly became angry and kicked the glass gate, damaging it before attempting the process again.
Authorities said the suspect incorrectly placed his passport during the second attempt, causing the machine to fail once more. Zheng allegedly kicked the gate again and forced his way through the checkpoint without clearance, as seen in video footage shared online.
Immigration officers moved in to detain him, but police said he shouted abusive remarks in Chinese and English, including insults translated into Thai as “your mother is dead”. Officers also alleged that he attempted to physically attack staff while they were carrying out their duties.
Pictures courtesy of Khaosod
The suspect’s wife intervened and restrained him before the confrontation escalated further. Immigration officers and airport security staff later transferred Zheng to investigators at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for detention and legal proceedings.
Authorities charged Zheng with damaging government property, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both. He will also be required to compensate Suvarnabhumi Airport for the damaged passport control equipment.
Police are also pursuing charges of insulting officials while performing their duties, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, a 20,000 baht fine, or both. Investigators are expected to forward the case to Samut Prakan Provincial Court on 15 May 2026.
Immigration Bureau commissioner Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonyalak ordered officials to revoke Zheng’s visa and place him on Thailand’s immigration blacklist for life, describing him as a threat to society. Authorities said he would be deported to China after legal proceedings conclude.
Khaosod reported that Lieutenant General Phanumas also warned foreign visitors that Thailand welcomes tourists who respect Thai people and laws, adding that criminal offences or behaviour violating public morality could result in visa revocation and deportation.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 15 May 2026