Phuket police arrest Chinese man over 2,823-day overstay

A 52-year-old Chinese national, Zhang Yong, has been arrested in Phuket after police said he had overstayed his permission to stay in Thailand by 2,823 days.

Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau officers and Phuket provincial police detained Zhang at about 7.30pm on 13 September 2026 outside 76/4 Chao Fa Road, Talat Nuea, in Mueang Phuket district.

Arrest followed Chinese embassy request

Police said the Chinese Embassy in Thailand had asked Thai authorities for cooperation after providing information that Zhang was connected to a court warrant in China.

Investigators received a tip that he was living in Phuket, monitored the area and approached a man whose appearance matched the information provided. Zhang produced his passport and confirmed his identity, police said.

He was taken to Mueang Phuket Police Station, where he was charged with remaining in the kingdom after his permitted stay had expired. Police said he admitted the charge after being informed of his rights through a Chinese interpreter.

Chinese allegations

Authorities said Zhang's name appeared in Chinese news reports and case documents in 2017 concerning several alleged incidents in Langfang, Hebei province.

According to the Chinese material, he was alleged to have ordered or joined others in demolishing structures in a village, using a large group of people to force some residents from the area before machinery was used to tear down homes.

The documents also referred to a business dispute in which Zhang and others were alleged to have occupied a company's office premises and obstructed its operations. Another allegation concerned disruption at a hotel where a provincial Communist Party inspection team was staying and working.

Chinese documents further alleged that a person was attacked with metal near Guangyang District People's Court in Langfang, suffering serious injuries that required the removal of their spleen. Zhang was suspected of ordering or inciting the attack, the documents said.

Thai authorities will first proceed under Thai law over the alleged overstay, while taking further steps relating to the Chinese court information and his extradition.

Join the discussion?

15 September 2026