Crime British Fugitives Arrested for Robbery & Fraud, Linked to Nominee Businesses on Koh Samui

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Immigration and crime suppression authorities have arrested two British nationals wanted in the UK for serious criminal offences, including robbery and fraud. The suspects had fled to Thailand and were living on the resort island of Koh Samui, where they were allegedly operating multiple businesses under nominee arrangements.

 

The first suspect, Mr Kieren Daniel Farrer Thornton, aged 38, was apprehended by a joint task force led by Pol Maj Gen Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 6. Thornton was arrested on 24 May near a pier in Moo 4, Bo Phut subdistrict, Koh Samui, following a warrant issued by Thailand’s Criminal Court (Warrant No. 524/2568, dated 19 May 2025). He is wanted in the UK for armed robbery and is considered a fugitive under international law. He has since been handed over to the Office of the Attorney General’s International Affairs Department for extradition proceedings.

 

The second arrest involved Mr Ashton Kevin Saunders, also known by the alias “Ben Ashton,” aged 37. Saunders had entered Thailand on a tourist visa and presented himself as a high-profile businessman operating in the popular tourist area of Chaweng Beach. Investigations by immigration and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that Saunders had previously been convicted of fraud by a UK court and had fled the country to avoid imprisonment.

 

Following his arrest, Thai authorities revoked his permission to remain in the Kingdom, citing his criminal history and status as a wanted individual. Saunders will now be deported back to the United Kingdom to serve his sentence.

 

Authorities also uncovered that Saunders and his family had allegedly established a network of seven companies on Koh Samui using nominees, with Thai nationals registered as shareholders on behalf of foreign owners, a practice considered illegal under Thai law.

 

A search warrant issued by the Koh Samui Provincial Court enabled officers to inspect all seven companies linked to Saunders. If sufficient evidence of wrongdoing is found, the businesses involved will face legal action for violating company and immigration laws.

 

Thai officials have vowed to prosecute all offences to the fullest extent of the law and to continue cooperating with international agencies to prevent fugitives from using Thailand as a safe haven

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-25.

 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Immigration and crime suppression authorities have arrested two British nationals wanted in the UK for serious criminal offences, including robbery and fraud. The suspects had fled to Thailand and were living on the resort island of Koh Samui, where they were allegedly operating multiple businesses under nominee arrangements.

Ha Ha Ha! They got what they deserved! 😂😂

[Jenkins9039]

Real name is Ashton Kevin Saunders  (Ben Ashton Kevin Saunders)

 

He had a suspended sentence (2 yrs) and community service, so unsure why Thailand is stating he is a fugitive : https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/business-grant-scammer-sentenced-for-online-fraud/

 

As that would be expired (2015) it's 10 yrs gone.

[cdemundo]

I notice the guy in sweatpants has the recognized signifiers of wealth, intelligence and success: multiple large tattoos.

I keep reminding myself that heavily tattooed individuals are probably richer, more intelligent, and more successful than I am. as I have been told on AN.

I need to remember the words of Groucho "Who you gonna believe? Me or your own eyes?"

[Mr Meeseeks]

Back to blighty for the criminal Brit chav scum.

 

Blacklisted too so they won't be coming back any time soon.

 

Well done Thai Police.

[JakeC]

They claim to be cousins.

 

https://facebook.com/groups/reportspam/posts/678663728841690/

 

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jul/19/fake-guardian-webpages-boost-credibility

 

Probably ran away before paying compensation and doing the time for their crimes.

 

 

[roo860]

Hopefully arrest the Thai nominees for facilitating the opening the companies.

 

 

'had allegedly established a network of seven companies on Koh Samui using nominees, with Thai nationals registered as shareholders on behalf of foreign owners, a practice considered illegal under Thai law.'

 

 

[EVENKEEL]

Ok now. These British naughty boys are getting out of hand. 

[Mywayboy]

Thailand has become the new Costa Del Crime.

[Taboo2]

I knew the minute that Aussie was arrested, that the Brits would be jealous and steal the spotlight....55555.

[newbee2022]

I admit I got a soft spot for Britains and UK.

I'm well known for that.

But WHY honestly are there so many crazy, mad, criminal Brits in Thailand?

There are other similar huge groups here...Germans eg (not known to be too polite?).....but the Brits top it all.

Any ideas??😳

 

[TheFishman1]

Wut the police are so good how come they haven’t found and arrested on an international warrant the Red Bull kid are they waiting for all the statues to be eliminated so we can come back to the country a free man tit

[thjames007]

23 hours ago, Jenkins9039 said:

Real name is Ashton Kevin Saunders  (Ben Ashton Kevin Saunders)

 

He had a suspended sentence (2 yrs) and community service, so unsure why Thailand is stating he is a fugitive : https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/business-grant-scammer-sentenced-for-online-fraud/

 

As that would be expired (2015) it's 10 yrs gone.

That's his second conviction. What about the one from June 2015.    I guess you not a lawyer just a Web expert.  😁. But you probably right he should be let go with apologies.  A nice man, upstanding in the community. 

[hotchilli]

Back to Blighty the slammer waits for you...

[Jenkins9039]

3 minutes ago, thjames007 said:

That's his second conviction. What about the one from June 2015.    I guess you not a lawyer just a Web expert.  😁. But you probably right he should be let go with apologies.  A nice man, upstanding in the community. 

That's related to the 2015 'spent' conviction -> he's had nothing since, there's no record about charges laid either and he's been living in Thailand since it was spent.

 

 

[arick]

Stoke-on-<deleted> awaits him.

[Thingamabob]

No idea why guys like this head for Thailand. The RTP seem to be able to pick them up with ease if requested/incentivised to do so.

[shackleton]

Thailand seems to be a haven for Brit criminals 

Properly more hiding here

Police and Immigration keep up the good work fine jail and deport 

These not quality Tourists 😒 

[impulse]

48 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

No idea why guys like this head for Thailand. The RTP seem to be able to pick them up with ease if requested/incentivised to do so.

 

Maybe it's because they can also be incentivized to look the other way? 

 

I always wonder what has changed when long established foreigners are suddenly under scrutiny.

 

[paul1804]

A sunny place for shady people!!  I guess with their back grounds they felt comfortable in Thailand's "honest" environment!!!

[Kenny Boy]

On 5/25/2025 at 9:07 AM, Jenkins9039 said:

Real name is Ashton Kevin Saunders  (Ben Ashton Kevin Saunders)

 

He had a suspended sentence (2 yrs) and community service, so unsure why Thailand is stating he is a fugitive : https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/business-grant-scammer-sentenced-for-online-fraud/

 

As that would be expired (2015) it's 10 yrs gone.

Are you his mummy ? 

[goldenbrwn1]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

I admit I got a soft spot for Britains and UK.

I'm well known for that.

But WHY honestly are there so many crazy, mad, criminal Brits in Thailand?

There are other similar huge groups here...Germans eg (not known to be too polite?).....but the Brits top it all.

Any ideas??😳

 

It’s no coincidence the Magaluf and Costa del Sol firms started arriving when some herb was legalised 

[black tabby12345]

Scumbags finally ran shi*t out of luck.

 

[Gandtee]

These were arrested quickly enough after a request from British Law Enforcement. I wonder why it has never worked in reverse on the Red Bull case.

[Drumbuie]

If you can possibly stop making sarky comments for a moment....consider whether this is a sign that the Thai Police have really got the hang of using their immigration database now, and may be linking it to other countries'  police databases also. 

 

 

[Quentin Zen]

On 5/25/2025 at 5:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

presented himself as a high-profile businessman

Not with those tattoos 

[Snackbar]

Innocent until proven otherwise 

[bullseye66]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

I admit I got a soft spot for Britains and UK.

I'm well known for that.

But WHY honestly are there so many crazy, mad, criminal Brits in Thailand?

There are other similar huge groups here...Germans eg (not known to be too polite?).....but the Brits top it all.

Any ideas??😳

 

Not just Thailand......these scum are everywhere. Benidorm is full of them. Tenerife also. Popular destinations in Greece and Cyprus also suffer from an influx of the c"*TS. They've exported their low life activities from town centers like Manchester, Liverpool, Boston, Croydon.....to more exotic locations.

[Captain Flack]

Troll post calling for banning of whole nationalities have been removed.

 

@Yagoda @dr_lucas rule 10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonising  forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

[goldenbrwn1]

Everyone is moaning about a British subculture that have started arriving since the legalisation of the herb , inc myself as there’s nothing more I hate of late when in the Uk is those scooter riding  masked off , man bag carrying twerps. And now they have been coming here instead of places like Magaluf to live the weed dream.  I’m sure visa tightening  is on its way back very soon but mainly because of the Indians Russians and Chinese who cause far more damage through criminal activities in this country. Remember this is an English speaking forum so you will mainly only get the English speaking news outlets posted here whether that be good or bad.