PATTAYA, Thailand – A Chinese man wanted under an INTERPOL Red Notice has been arrested in Banglamung after allegedly spending more than three decades in Thailand under a Thai identity and building a business and property portfolio worth more than 100 million baht in Chonburi. Police and Department of Provincial Administration officials arrested the man, identified as Suchart Surachai, also known as Zhu Zhishan, at his home in Nongprue, Banglamung, on Sept. 13. He was wanted by Chinese authorities over a case involving alleged intentional assault dating back to Jan. 19, 1990, in Taizhou, Zhejiang province.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma ordered Pol Lt Gen Nopasil Poolsawat and a joint team of police and administrative officials from the DOPA N.I.C.E. security centre to investigate the case after Chinese authorities passed information through Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Investigators found that the man named in the INTERPOL Red Notice could be the same person as Suchart Surachai, who had previously held a Thai passport and appeared to have obtained Thai nationality unlawfully.
A retrospective investigation by DOPA N.I.C.E. found that Suchart had been registered as a Thai national through a process for recording the status of people living in highland areas in Phop Phra district, Tak province. He reportedly obtained his first Thai identity card on Nov. 1, 2001. Authorities subsequently revoked the nationality registration and related records after determining that he was not legally entitled to Thai citizenship and filed a complaint for further legal action.
Investigators also found that he had later applied for a Thai identity card in Bang Lamung despite allegedly having no legal entitlement to Thai nationality. The investigation eventually led to a court arrest warrant and his arrest in Chonburi. During questioning, the suspect reportedly told police that he had paid about 50,000 baht to obtain the Thai identity card in Phop Phra. Authorities said they will investigate who received the money and whether officials or other individuals were involved in similar cases.
After obtaining the Thai identity status, the man reportedly continued living and working in Thailand, initially working as a tour guide and later becoming involved in the tourism business. He eventually settled in Pattaya, where he formed a family with a Chinese wife and has twin children.
Investigators found that he had been associated with several companies and held 17 plots of real estate in Banglamung with a combined value of more than 100 million baht. Authorities also identified several cars and motorcycles linked to him. Police said they will examine how the properties and other assets were acquired and determine their legal status.
The suspect was taken to Banglamung Police Station to face proceedings under the Thai arrest warrant. The Royal Thai Police said the process concerning China’s request for his extradition will be considered according to Thai law and the applicable legal procedures. The investigation into the alleged unlawful acquisition of Thai nationality, possible individuals involved in the registration process and the suspect’s assets will also continue.
