BANGKOK — Thai immigration authorities have arrested a Mongolian national suspected of a string of thefts across Bangkok, thanks to advanced facial recognition technology linked to the national biometric system.
Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, announced the arrest with top officials from the bureau. The operation was part of Thailand’s ongoing crackdown on transnational crime, particularly involving foreign nationals.
The investigation was launched after reports emerged of a Mongolian theft gang targeting high-value electronics—such as phones and laptops—in shopping malls, clinics, hotels, and commercial areas across the capital.
The breakthrough occurred on May 22, 2025, when a laptop was stolen from a department store near Ratchaprasong. Authorities, using facial recognition and video analysis software, identified the suspect as a Mongolian man using the alias “Mr. Batuyakar.” He had entered Thailand via the Chanthaburi checkpoint on an expired visa.
An arrest warrant was issued, and the suspect was eventually captured on June 9, 2025, after stealing a mobile phone from a beauty clinic in the Rama 9 area. He posed as a customer before fleeing, but immigration officers coordinated with Huai Khwang Police to arrest him as he attempted to sell stolen goods.
Though he initially denied the allegations, the suspect confessed after being confronted with facial matches, biometric evidence, and distinctive tattoos. He admitted to entering Thailand for the purpose of theft and resale.
Authorities believe he may be part of a larger Mongolian theft ring responsible for multiple incidents in Bangkok. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend additional members.
The Immigration Bureau emphasized that this arrest showcases Thailand’s effective use of technology in curbing international criminal activity and ensuring public safety.
