The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested a Chinese national in Bangkok who was allegedly hiding from an arrest warrant issued in China over a large-scale bid-rigging scheme that caused damages exceeding 260 million baht. The arrest highlights growing cooperation between Thai and Chinese law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational crime.
CIB officers, working in coordination with Chinese authorities, apprehended the suspect, identified as a 49-year-old Chinese man surnamed Song, at a residence in Soi Krungthep Kreetha 7 in the Hua Mark sub-district of Bang Kapi district. The arrest took place on Saturday, December 14, following weeks of surveillance.
According to information provided by Chinese officials, the Zhaotong Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision in Yunnan province launched an investigation into corruption within China’s public health system. The probe uncovered evidence that Song had interfered with procurement processes at several state-run hospitals.
Investigators alleged that Song repeatedly paid bribes to the director of the People’s Hospital in Zhenxiong County, along with other officials connected to hospital administration. These payments were reportedly made to secure unfair advantages in supplying medical equipment and products, as well as to win construction contracts for hospital-related projects.
Authorities classified Song’s actions as bid rigging and abuse of official duties. The financial damage caused by the scheme was estimated at more than 60 million yuan, equivalent to approximately 260 million baht. The case was considered significant due to both the scale of the losses and its impact on public healthcare services.
Chinese authorities revoked Song’s passport once the allegations surfaced. Despite this, he allegedly managed to flee the country and enter Thailand, where he remained in hiding. Chinese officials subsequently requested assistance from Thai law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend him.
Thai immigration authorities later revoked Song’s permission to remain in Thailand on November 30. Following this, CIB officers placed his suspected residence under close and continuous surveillance. Once his location was confirmed, police gathered sufficient evidence to obtain a court-approved search warrant. Officers then searched the property and arrested Song without incident.
CIB police stated that the arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of international law enforcement cooperation, particularly in cases involving economic crimes and corruption. They stressed that Thailand would not allow itself to become a safe haven for fugitives or transnational criminals seeking to evade justice.
The arrest comes amid a broader crackdown on foreign criminal networks operating in Thailand. Just days earlier, on Friday, December 12, police arrested 14 Chinese nationals at a love hotel in Bangkok. The group allegedly crossed into Thailand from Myanmar and rented multiple rooms to conduct online scam operations.
Thai authorities reaffirmed their commitment to working with international partners to dismantle criminal networks and maintain national security, sending a clear message that offenders will be pursued regardless of borders.
