
UBON RATCHATHANI — Thai police officers were among eight suspects arrested for kidnapping seven Chinese nationals and demanding a 2 million baht ransom in Ubon Ratchathani province, leading to their immediate dismissal from service.
National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kitt-rat Panpetch announced on January 25 that three Special Branch officers and one Border Patrol Police officer were terminated after their involvement in the kidnapping scheme was discovered.
Among the eight suspects arrested in the kidnapping case, four were law enforcement officers: Police Lieutenant Prateep, 54, from Special Branch Division 3; Police Sergeant Chakkawut, 38, from Border Patrol Police Unit 12; Police Senior Sergeant Major Theerapong, 43, and Police Sergeant Theerawat, 34, both from Special Branch Division 3.

The other suspects included Army Sergeant Major Sumanat, 35, a driver from Rangers Regiment 23, two Thai civilians – Mr. Anuwong, 44, and Mr. Kritsarin, 28 – and a Myanmar national, Mr. Aung Jo Min, 35.
The suspects allegedly held the Chinese victims, aged 22-25, at Irene Resort in Phibun Mangsahan district. The case came to light when one victim secretly contacted a friend in Laos using a messaging app to report their captivity by individuals claiming to be police officers.
The kidnappers initially demanded 5 million baht but later reduced the ransom to 2 million baht. Police spokesman Pol. Lt. Gen. Archayont Kraithong stated that the National Police Chief has ordered a strict seven-day crackdown on illegal immigration and transnational crime, warning that any officers involved in such activities will face severe administrative, disciplinary, and criminal penalties.
The investigation is ongoing to determine possible connections to illegal labor trafficking networks, as the victims were found to have entered Thailand through unauthorized channels.
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