Chinese Fugitives Arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport After Interpol Alert

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Immigration.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, revealed the swift action taken on January 22, by Thai immigration authorities following an alert from Interpol. The alert concerned two Chinese nationals, Mr. Yau and Mr. Shimeobi, who were accused of a violent crime resulting in serious injury and death in Hong Kong earlier that day.

 

Under the direction of Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Thanit Thaiwatcharamas, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration, an immediate operation was launched to track and apprehend the suspects. The investigation was led by Pol. Col. Nattakit Meesuk, Superintendent of the Immigration Suppression Division 2, with support from Pol. Capt. Kamolthip Khemnak.

 

The suspects entered Thailand via Suvarnabhumi Airport on Cathay Pacific flight CX701, landing at approximately 18:40 on January 22. Officers from the investigative team moved swiftly, apprehending Mr. Yau and Mr. Shimeobi at the arrival gate. Following their arrest, the suspects were interviewed, and their activities were further scrutinised in collaboration with immigration officials.

 

The suspects were subsequently denied entry into Thailand under the Immigration Act of 1979 due to their status as prohibited persons. They were held in the detention room at Suvarnabhumi Airport while awaiting deportation.

 

Authorities coordinated with Hong Kong police, who confirmed they would take custody of the fugitives and proceed with legal action. On January 23, Hong Kong law enforcement officers arrived in Bangkok and escorted the suspects back to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific flight CX618 at 13:05.

 

The swift collaboration between Thai immigration authorities and international law enforcement demonstrates Thailand’s commitment to upholding global security measures and ensuring its borders are not used as a haven for fugitives.

 

-- 2025-01-24

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

Strange.

Why did China not stop them when boarding in Hong Kong?

[gargamon]

6 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Strange.

Why did China not stop them when boarding in Hong Kong?

Read the article. They committed the crime earlier that day and jumped onto a flight to Thailand to avoid arrest no doubt. HK police tracked them and coordinated with Thailand to arrest them. Well done all around.

[Watawattana]

41 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Read the article. They committed the crime earlier that day and jumped onto a flight to Thailand to avoid arrest no doubt. HK police tracked them and coordinated with Thailand to arrest them. Well done all around.

Yeah, pretty swift by the HK Police.  These 2 trying to do a 'Red Bull' and the HK Police, Interpol & Thai Immigration working together well to catch them.

 

Here's the related story that's in the HK Press - https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/225866/Yuen-Long-knife-attackers-arrested-in-Thailand:-Thai-media

[Watawattana]

57 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Strange.

Why did China not stop them when boarding in Hong Kong?

It wouldn't be China stopping them, it'd be the Hong Kong authorities.  They are separate entities.

[The Honest Farang]

2 hours ago, Watawattana said:

It wouldn't be China stopping them, it'd be the Hong Kong authorities.  They are separate entities.

 You must be joking? 
 

 HK “authorities” have been under the CCP’s thumb for quite a while now.  

[Watawattana]

59 minutes ago, The Honest Farang said:

 You must be joking? 
 

 HK “authorities” have been under the CCP’s thumb for quite a while now.  

Fact.  They are separate entities.  Joking?  Stupid comment.

 

Under the thumb?  Yes.  Of course.  All of Hong Kong is.

[Justanotherone]

so red notice can work, if they want... lol...red bull kid where are you?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Strange.

Why did China not stop them when boarding in Hong Kong?

Maybe they have a leaky back door like Thailand that allows certain people of wealth slip away...

Or

They boarded a pre-booked flight before authorities managed to stop them.

[Watawattana]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

They boarded a pre-booked flight before authorities managed to stop them.

This is likely bearing in mind the timeline that has been reported.  Your other suggestion is also possible, but is not my experience of living here in Hong Kong.  The HK Police is known for arresting its own for corruption, but corruption is not unheard of.

 

Here's the original story in the local media.

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/225672/Two-men-slashed,-one-fatally,-in-Yuen-Long-knife-attack

 

Looking at the timeline, the crime happened at about 5am.  They departed on CX701 at 4pm.  So, from a standing start the police assessed the crime scene, found CCTV or some other intelligence, identified the 7 or 8 suspects (6 arrested as of now), told relevant agencies such as Immigration to look out for them, found that they'd departed on CX701, informed Interpol who informed Thai Immigration.  To me, that's impressive police work that many countries should be envious of.  Won't mention any names of course.

 

To your other suggestion, again, it is possible that this could happen.  

 

But to explore this a bit further, as well as the airport there are several sea and land exits from Hong Kong.  All are managed by the HK Immigration Department, with entry into the mainland via Chinese Immigration (a separate entity), so these 2 suspects would have been known to have left and would have been able to track using vehicle registration scanners or facial recognition tech.  The chances of successfully using a clandestine boat to leave HK and land in China are virtually zero; it was daylight and the HK seaborne police are also very good.  But if the HK lot are good, the Chinese are very much better equipped and resourced; they have a massive security service, very tight control of their seas and very good radars.  But it is possible.

 

HK & China are very different countries to Thailand when it comes to this stuff, there is virtually no comparison possible.