Chinese Fugitive Arrested at Phuket Hospital For Visa Overstay

Pictures courtesy of Matichon 

Police in Phuket arrested a 56-year-old Chinese national at a hospital in the city on 23 December, after confirming he was overstaying his visa by 113 days. The suspect, identified as Mr Liu Hongbo, was taken into custody following coordination between Chinese authorities and Thai immigration police, with immediate legal action initiated for immigration offences.

The Phuket Provincial Police Investigation Division said the arrest followed a request from Chinese authorities to Immigration Bureau Division 1 to help locate Mr Liu, who was wanted in China under an arrest warrant for a major criminal case. Officers began surveillance after receiving intelligence about a suspicious Chinese man frequently using services at the hospital in central Phuket. Database checks confirmed that Mr Liu had remained in Thailand beyond the permitted period of stay.

Further background checks revealed that Mr Liu is a former businessman and owner of a gold mine in China. He is alleged to have fled the country following a fatal mining accident involving flooding at the mine, which reportedly caused the deaths of dozens of people. Investigators stated that Mr Liu escaped across borders with his wife and had been hiding in Phuket until he was tracked down by local police.

The operation was carried out by officers from the Phuket Provincial Police Investigation Division in cooperation with Immigration Bureau Division 1. Police said the arrest marked the end of a sustained period of surveillance and tracking after they confirmed his identity and immigration status. Mr Liu was detained at the hospital without resistance, according to officials.

Initially, police charged Mr Liu with “being a foreign national remaining in the Kingdom of Thailand after permission had expired”. He was then transferred to investigators at Wichit Police Station to face legal proceedings under Thai law. Authorities said immigration charges were the first step before further action linked to his status as a fugitive.

Officials confirmed that, after the completion of Thai legal procedures, Mr Liu will be deported to his country of origin. Chinese authorities are expected to take custody of him to face the criminal case he allegedly fled. Thai police stressed that the case reflects continued cooperation between Thailand and international partners in tracking wanted suspects.

Matichon reported that investigators will complete documentation for deportation once immigration proceedings are finalised. Thai authorities said they would continue to monitor foreign nationals with irregular status and act on international coordination requests. The case is expected to proceed in China following Mr Liu’s return.

Key Takeaways

• A 56-year-old Chinese fugitive was arrested in Phuket on 23 December 2568 for overstaying his visa by 113 days.

• The suspect is linked to a fatal gold mine flooding case in China and had been hiding in Thailand.

• He faces immigration charges in Thailand before deportation to China for further prosecution.

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-12-24