Three men are wanted on court warrants after allegedly posing as police detectives, abducting massage-shop workers in Pattaya and demanding money for their release.
Pattaya Provincial Court approved warrants for the three suspects on 3 August 2026, following a complaint by three massage-shop employees. The alleged offences took place on 2 August in Pattaya, Chonburi province.
Alleged abduction from massage shop
The workers told Pattaya City Police that three men entered a massage shop claiming to be officers from an investigative police unit. They allegedly said they were searching for drugs and other illegal items.
According to the complaint, the men then took the victims by motorcycle to a room in Soi Jomtien 12. The workers said they were forced to use crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice.
The men allegedly threatened to plant evidence unless the victims agreed to act as informants in operations targeting foreigners. The alleged plan was later changed, with the workers reportedly told to transfer money in exchange for their freedom.
Police said no genuine officers were involved in the alleged crimes. Anyone approached by people claiming to be police should seek to verify their identity and, if concerned, contact a local police station.
Search finds suspects had fled
Pol Col Anek Sarathongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, ordered an urgent investigation led by Lt Col Arut Sapanon, deputy superintendent of investigations, and Lt Col Suradet Imjai, an investigative inspector.
Officers searched the room described by the alleged victims as a "safe house" - a daily-rental room on the third floor of a building in Soi Jomtien 12. However, the suspects had already left the property.
Police identified the wanted men as Chalermchot, also known as Chot, Chatmani, 30; Anan, known as Tawin, Panyapho, 45; and Kiatthisak, known as Ice, Khuna, 40.
They are wanted on allegations including joint extortion, jointly detaining or confining another person or otherwise depriving them of physical liberty, and jointly coercing another person through threats of harm to life, body, liberty, reputation or property, or through violence.
Pattaya City Police investigators are continuing efforts to locate and arrest all three men. Police said further updates would be issued as the case develops.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
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4 August 2026
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