Major Arrest in Ramkhamhaeng Condo: Chinese Organized Crime Figure Caught Money Laundering in Massive 16 Billion Baht Scam
Chinese organized crime figure Chen Tao arrested in Bangkok condo for laundering money through shell companies in a 1.6 billion baht fraud scheme targeting a Chinese bank.
On May 9, 2569, Pol. Lt. Gen. Songpruet Sirisucha, Commander of the Immigration Bureau Region 3, along with Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Chinwut Tangwonglert and Inspector Pol. Col. Suriya Puangsambat led an investigation team to arrest Mr. Chen Tao, 57, a key suspect wanted most urgently by the People's Republic of China.
Following a request from Beijing, Thai authorities targeted Mr. Chen Tao for concealing and hiding assets obtained through criminal activity. An arrest warrant was issued by the Lanzhou Public Security Bureau with damages valued at approximately 3,222 million yuan (1.6 billion baht).
Pol. Lt. Gen. Songpruet stated that the suspect was involved in defrauding a bank and laundering money through shell companies. Investigators discovered the suspect entered Thailand on November 11, 2568, on a PE visa. He had provided multiple false addresses to conceal his actual residence. Officers arrested him at a condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng area and revoked his visa as a foreigner with a criminal record deemed a threat to society.
The suspect had hired someone else to rent the room under their name as a cover. During arrest, officers discovered a second passport—a Vanuatu passport—believed to be used for identity concealment, as China had already revoked his Chinese passport. The suspect is a core leader who directly commands operations both domestically and internationally.
The Immigration Bureau confirmed its continued commitment to combating transnational organized crime and will not allow Thailand to serve as a haven for criminals, ensuring public safety and protection of property.
