Chinese fugitive held over Samut Sakhon nominee firms

Thai police have arrested a Chinese man wanted by authorities in China over alleged corruption, accusing him of living in Thailand under a Myanmar identity and using Thai nominees to control businesses and property worth about 600 million baht.

The operation took place on 16 September 2026 in Samut Sakhon, led by Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, Lt Gen Noppasil Phoonsawat, Lt Gen Phisit Tanprasert and Pol Maj Gen Theerachai Chamnarnmor. Officers from the Interior Ministry's DOPA N.I.C.E registration-security team, the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Samut Sakhon governor were also involved.

Police identified the suspect as Mr Myo, a Myanmar national, but immigration facial-recognition checks suggested he was the same person as Mr Li, a Chinese national wanted in China for allegedly supporting corruption in a state project.

Three firms and seven land plots

The investigation began after police targeting illegal activity by foreigners found Mr Myo linked to three suspected nominee companies, all registered at the same address in Moo 1, Om Noi, Krathum Baen district.

The companies have combined registered capital of 191 million baht and hold seven plots of land totalling 28 rai, 2 ngan and 9.4 square wah. The sites include homes, factories and rental business premises, with an estimated total value of 600 million baht.

Mr Myo was named as a direct shareholder and authorised director in all three firms, police said. Thai shareholders were allegedly nominees: investigators found that one was a freelance driver who had regularly delivered goods to one of the companies, but had never invested in or held shares in any company.

Mr Li travelled in and out of Thailand 14 times using a Chinese passport between 2013 and 2016, police said. From 2018, he allegedly used the Mr Myo identity and a Myanmar passport, making a further 48 entries and exits.

Son's Thai ID under investigation

During searches of the three companies, officers seized documents including land title deeds and a 9-million-baht sale agreement for further investigation.

They also found the suspect's son, identified only as Mr T, who presented a Thai identity card stating that he was Thai-born and held Thai nationality. Fingerprint checks allegedly matched him to Mr Ji, a Chinese national who had previously entered and left Thailand using a Chinese passport.

Police said Mr T's first Thai ID card, issued in 2023, was linked to a former local-administration official previously arrested in a case involving assistance for foreigners seeking Thai identity cards unlawfully.

Mr Li and Mr T were detained for legal proceedings. DNA samples were taken from both men and a Thai woman listed as Mr T's mother in the household registration, to establish their relationship. Police said anyone found to have knowingly assisted with the alleged false registration would face prosecution.

Assault allegations also examined

Police also said Mr Myo was accused of assaulting a Chinese employee of one of the companies, Ms Lu. The allegations include kicking her in the head, damaging her laptop, forcing her at knifepoint to sign a 15-million-baht debt acknowledgement, theft, unlawful entry, restraint and severe assault.

Police said she escaped and filed a complaint at Krathum Baen police station.

The National Police Office said it would continue working with other agencies against identity fraud, nominee arrangements and transnational crime. Members of the public can report suspected registration fraud or unusual conduct at police stations nationwide or via the 1599 hotline, available 24 hours a day.

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

Join the discussion?

17 September 2026

View full article