The Immigration Bureau has expanded its crackdown on a transnational Chinese call centre network, arresting four Chinese nationals in Bangkok and moving to deport a wanted suspect. The operation follows earlier arrests in Chon Buri and centres on allegations of illegal business operations and unauthorised employment. Authorities say the suspects were linked to a wider cross-border network.
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On 14 February 2026, investigators from Division 3 of the Immigration Bureau (IB3) detained six Chinese nationals in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The individuals were wanted under arrest warrants issued by the People’s Republic of China for operating an illegal business and were classified as prohibited persons under Section 12(7) of Thailand’s Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). They were taken into custody for legal proceedings.
On 24 February 2026, Pol Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha, commander of IB3, ordered Pol Col Suriya Puangsomboon, superintendent of IB3’s Investigation Division, to lead a follow-up operation. The team included Pol Lt Col Pitipat Srithana-aphinan, deputy superintendent, and Pol Lt Col Jaturachok Phetkong, inspector, along with investigation officers. Acting on information from an anonymous informant, officers targeted an up market housing estate in the Sai Mai area of Bangkok believed to be sheltering additional suspects linked to the earlier arrests and subject to Chinese warrants.
Immigration checks found no record of foreign residents registered at the address, raising suspicions of concealment. Surveillance confirmed frequent movement of Chinese nationals in and out of the property. Officers identified themselves and conducted a search.
Four suspects were arrested. Mr. Shibiao, aged 40, was wanted by the Public Security Bureau of Wuzhishan, People’s Republic of China, for illegal business operations and was deemed a prohibited person under Section 12(7) of the Immigration Act.
Mr. Shiming, 35, was found working at a desk with a Lenovo laptop and admitted through an interpreter to managing the website u9mdb1.bn6868.top/pc/#/ac/acl, an investment-related platform. He stated he received 40 per cent of the site’s monthly income, approximately 100,000 baht.
Mr. Zhiqiang, 32, and Mr. Xiaohuai, 35, were found working on Acer and Huawei laptops respectively. Both said they recorded income and expenses related to foreign currency exchange for Mr. Shiming, earning a monthly salary of 20,000 baht plus 500 baht per exchange transaction.
Authorities revoked Mr. Shibiao’s temporary permission of stay and transferred him to Immigration Bureau Division 3 for detention pending extradition to China. The remaining suspects were charged with working without permission or beyond authorised rights under Section 8 of the Emergency Decree on the Management of Foreign Workers B.E. 2560 (2017) and handed to investigators at Sai Mai Police Station for further legal action.
Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand
Key Takeaways
• Four Chinese nationals were arrested in Bangkok in connection with a transnational call centre network.
• One suspect, wanted by Chinese authorities, faces visa revocation and extradition.
• Three others were charged with working without authorisation under Thai law.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now InsideThailand 25 Feb 2026
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