Immigration police in Bangkok have arrested Zhang Wei, a Chinese fugitive, who was wanted for his involvement in an embezzlement case worth 2.4 billion yuan (approximately 11 billion baht).
The arrest occurred on Saturday at a hotel in the Ratchaprasong area, according to Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyaluck, the commander of the Immigration Bureau, who made the announcement on Sunday.
Zhang Wei, accused of colluding with others to embezzle funds from a major construction company in Shandong, China, fled to Bangkok in 2024. He had used a fake passport from the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu under the name “Tu Nan.”
An investigation revealed that his visa had expired on March 12, with no extension request filed. Surveillance of the luxury hotel in Ratchaprasong led officers to Mr Zhang, who had checked in under the alias.
When approached for an identity check, Zhang Wei insisted in Chinese that he was not Chinese, but a citizen of Vanuatu. He claimed his passport had been lost and presented a photo of what he claimed was his Vanuatu passport.
After a biometric identity check, it was confirmed that Zhang Wei was indeed the Chinese fugitive wanted for financial fraud. He was promptly taken into custody by the authorities.
