BANGKOK — Thai police have arrested a Chinese national wanted on corruption charges in China involving alleged bid rigging at a public hospital that caused losses of more than $8.5 million, authorities said on Sundaay.
The suspect, identified by Thai police as a 49-year-old Chinese man surnamed Song, was detained in Bangkok following a request for assistance from authorities in China’s Yunnan province. He is being held pending deportation and extradition to face prosecution in China.
According to Thai police, Song was convicted on corruption-related charges in China before fleeing the country. Investigators from Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division traced him to a residence in the Thai capital after receiving intelligence from Chinese law enforcement.
Chinese authorities alleged that Song had paid bribes to the director of Zhenxiong County People’s Hospital and other officials in Yunnan’s Zhaotong municipality to gain preferential treatment in the sale of medical supplies and equipment and to secure construction contracts for hospital projects.
The alleged scheme violated Chinese laws on bid-rigging collusion and abuse of official duties, causing estimated damages of more than 60 million yuan, or about $8.5 million, Thai police said.
After Chinese authorities issued a criminal detention order and revoked Song’s travel documents, they coordinated with Thai officials through the Lancang-Mekong Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center, police said.
On December 14, Police Lt. Gen. Natsak Chaowanasai, commander of Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division, ordered Song’s arrest with assistance from immigration police. He was taken into custody at a residence in the Krungthep Kritha area of Bangkok.
Immigration officials revoked Song’s permission to remain in Thailand and placed him in detention pending deportation to China, police said.
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