Picture courtesy of TopNews

A 37-year-old Chinese national has been rescued from an alleged kidnapping in Pattaya after police forced entry into a hotel room where he was being held. Officers arrested one suspect at the scene and are searching for a second man who fled.

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On 11 February 2026, Pol Lt Col Prabda Suksuntree, superintendent of Tourist Police Sub-Division 4, Division 2, Tourist Police Bureau 1, received a report that a Chinese man was being detained in Room 719 on the seventh floor of a hotel. Tourist Police investigators coordinated with Chon Buri Immigration Police and Pattaya City Police to investigate.

Upon arrival, officers found the room door locked from the outside, by a padlock and forced entry. Inside, they discovered Mr Jitao Liu, 37, seated in the room, allegedly under the control of Mr Liang Wei, 33, also a Chinese national. Mr Liang was arrested at the scene and the victim was safely rescued.

The case began after the victim’s wife, Mrs Li Jianli, 29, sought police assistance. She reported that her husband had travelled to Thailand on 7 February 2026 and had been taken by a Chinese friend to gamble in Bangkok.

According to her account, Mr Liu later contacted her via the Telegram application, stating he had lost 300,000 baht gambling and requested funds to settle the debt. Mrs Li transferred 3,000 USDT in digital currency, equivalent to approximately 100,000 baht. She later learned that her husband had been taken to Pattaya and detained, prompting her to alert authorities.

During questioning, Mr Liu told police he had been transported from Bangkok to the Pattaya hotel. He stated that Mr Liang Wei and another Chinese national, Mr Zhang Lang, 32, had alternated in guarding him before officers intervened. Mr Zhang had left and locked the other two in the room, prior to the police entry.

TopNews reported that Ppolice have charged Mr Liang Wei with unlawful detention. Efforts are under way to locate and arrest Mr Zhang Lang for further legal proceedings.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese national Mr Jitao Liu, 37, was rescued from alleged unlawful detention in a Pattaya hotel on 11 February 2026.

• Police arrested Mr Liang Wei, 33, at the scene and are pursuing Mr Zhang Lang, 32, who fled.

• The case followed a ransom demand involving 3,000 USDT after the victim reportedly lost 300,000 baht gambling in Bangkok.

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Adapted by ASEAN Topnews 13 Feb 2026

This kidnapping and ransom crime seems to be popular with both Chinese and Indians. Never heard much of it with Western tourists. Probably a Scots lady wouldn't want her Angus back after finding out he was in Pattaya and not away at PSG.

19 hours ago, jacko45k said:

This kidnapping and ransom crime seems to be popular with both Chinese and Indians. Never heard much of it with Western tourists. Probably a Scots lady wouldn't want her Angus back after finding out he was in Pattaya and not away at PSG.

no one does more harm to the Chinese and Indian than their very own. not just in Thailand, but anywhere their presence is prevalent.