Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 36-year-old French man wanted on drug trafficking charges in France has been arrested on Koh Samui, after overstaying his visa by a full year.

 

The fugitive, identified only as Jordan, was apprehended by immigration officers in Surat Thani Province on August 6, following a coordinated effort between the The Immigration Bureau and the French Embassy.

 

French authorities had requested Thailand’s assistance in locating Jordan, who had fled to the country to avoid prosecution. Immigration officials launched an investigation, reviewing accommodation records in accordance with the Immigration Act, which requires landlords and hotel operators to report foreign guests within 24 hours of arrival.

 

Officers traced the suspect to a rented room in Ban Lamai, located in Maret subdistrict of Koh Samui. However, upon noticing police activity, Jordan fled the property. Authorities then conducted a multi-day surveillance operation, eventually catching him when he returned to the premises.

 

Upon arrest, Jordan was found without a passport. Biometric checks confirmed that his permission to remain in Thailand had expired on August 5, 2024, exactly 365 days before his arrest. He was taken into custody at Bo Phut Police Station and is now facing charges for his immigration violation.

 

Police Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonlaksa, Commander of the Immigration Bureau, confirmed that Jordan will be blacklisted from re-entering Thailand and extradited to France once legal proceedings in Thailand are complete.

 

Lt Gen Phanumas further stated that immigration authorities have intensified monitoring of foreign nationals in Thailand. The bureau works closely with international counterparts to locate individuals using Thailand as a hiding place, criminal base, or laundering ground, allowing for quicker arrests of those fleeing justice.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-08-08

 

 

 

Thailand seems to be a favourite hideaway for these people.

Glad to see that the Thai police are at least following up on requests by overseas police force. It’s something.

Koh Samui seems to be a popular Hideaway for the Frogs...........

On 8/8/2025 at 3:28 PM, wensiensheng said:

Glad to see that the Thai police are at least following up on requests by overseas police force. It’s something.

Hm, Otherwise they would never have found him !