Malaysian Gambler Arrested in Chiang Mai for Robbing Chinese Student

Picture courtesy of Matichon

Police in Chiang Mai have arrested a Malaysian man who held a Chinese student at knifepoint and robbed him after running out of money following a gambling spree. The suspect, Mr Eng Chee Hon, 34, was apprehended on charges of armed robbery and overstaying his permission to stay.

The arrest was announced at a press conference on 27 May, held at Chiang Mai City Police Station, led by Pol Lt Gen Krittaphon Yeesakorn, Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5. He was joined by senior officers including Pol Maj Gen Yutthana Kaenchan, Chief of Chiang Mai Provincial Police, and Pol Maj Gen Worapong Kamlu, Chief of Investigation Division Region 5.

According to police, the suspect had used a knife to rob Mr Tan Liaing, a 28-year-old Chinese national and university student, in the parking area of City Tower Condominium on Thapae Road, Chiang Mai. The victim had gone there to exchange 10,000 USDT (a cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar) for cash. During this latest exchange, the suspect produced a knife, stole ฿135,000 in cash and fled the scene.

Following a swift investigation involving local police, immigration officers and tourist police, Mr Eng was arrested at a condominium in San Sai District. Officers recovered the stolen money, a Honda Zoomer-X motorbike, a knife, a white helmet, clothing and other items believed to be connected to the crime.

Mr Eng confessed to the crime, telling officers he had come to Chiang Mai from the Philippines on a tourist visa at the invitation of a Vietnamese friend. He said he had spent heavily on gambling and entertainment, running out of funds. He had also entered a romantic relationship with a Myanmar woman during his stay.

Authorities noted that Mr Eng used cryptocurrency transactions as a tactic to lure his victim, exchanging digital currency for Thai baht at a loss to build trust. After exhausting his funds, he turned to robbery.

Pol Lt Gen Krittaphon stated that Mr Eng had overstayed his three-month permission to stay and would face two charges: armed robbery and using a weapon in a public space, plus residing in Thailand illegally after his permission had expired.

“This is the first arrest in three months involving a foreign suspect and a foreign victim,” said Pol Lt Gen Krittaphon. “The victim is a Chinese student with a one-year visa who has been residing in Chiang Mai for over six months. We will continue to enforce immigration and criminal laws strictly to keep Chiang Mai safe.”

He also highlighted that Chiang Mai is now regarded as the safest and most tourist-friendly city in ASEAN due to its effective crime prevention and rapid response. “Some cases have been solved in under 24 hours. We will continue maintaining these standards,” he added.

The victim later presented a gift basket to Pol Lt Gen Krittaphon and the investigation team in gratitude for their swift and effective response.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-28.