Two Chinese nationals wanted by authorities in China over an alleged illegal surrogacy operation have been arrested at a hotel in Pattaya and are being held for deportation. Get today's headlines by email Thailand’s Immigration Bureau said the arrests followed a request from the Chinese Consulate’s police office in Kunming. The suspects, identified only as Mr Y, 43, and Ms M, 34, both Chinese nationals, had their Thai visas revoked after they were confirmed to be wanted under arrest warrants issued by Chinese authorities. The operation was ordered by Immigration Bureau Commissioner Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak and senior immigration officials. Officers from Immigration Division 1 worked with the Crime Suppression Division to locate and detain the pair after intelligence showed they were staying at a hotel in Pattaya. According to Chinese authorities, the suspects are accused of operating an unlicensed medical business linked to illegal surrogacy. Investigators allege that between March and May 2026, Mr Y acted as the head of a network managing premises used for an unlawful surrogacy operation, while working alongside Ms M through Hangzhou Shengbao Medical and Health Technology Co., Ltd. Chinese investigators claim the company secretly operated an unlicensed medical facility providing embryo transfer procedures and illegal surrogacy services for profit. Authorities said the operation attracted a large number of Chinese clients and involved multiple individuals, with substantial sums of money circulating through the network. The investigation also alleges the group became involved in a serious dispute with one client during an embryo transfer procedure. Chinese authorities said the circumstances may be linked to additional criminal offences, with the wider investigation continuing. Picture courtesy of SiamNews After confirming that both suspects had travelled to Thailand, the Immigration Bureau revoked their visas. Immigration investigators and Crime Suppression Division officers then tracked the pair to a Pattaya hotel, where they were taken into custody without incident. SiamNews reported that both suspects have been transferred to an immigration detention facility, where they will remain pending deportation to China to face legal proceedings. The Immigration Bureau urged members of the public to report foreign nationals suspected of involvement in criminal activity. Information can be provided to local immigration offices or through the Immigration Bureau hotline 1178. AQOJkbNGUTE3c1MjKLc-SaoSfAIOs9s4D3cnsEajpymOde3mchDXXhWnqqT9RvowQNXK87gMQXEkYxQFB8z-xr7-wSL24kZqznff2EPRig.mp4 Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Siamnews 6 July 2026
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