Chinese fugitive accused of running a forest casino arrested in Thailand

2026-03-06 - 02:53

PATTAYA — 5 March 2026, Thai police have arrested a Chinese fugitive accused of running an illegal gambling network that operated a casino deep in forested mountains and handled nearly 100 million baht in circulation before he fled from China. Maj. Gen. Thirachat Thirachathamrong, commander of the Crime Suppression Division’s patrol unit, ordered officers led by Col. Boonlue Phadungthin, deputy commander of the unit, along with investigators from the Immigration Bureau, to carry out the arrest. Police detained Song Lihua, 49, a Chinese national wanted by authorities in the People’s Republic of China, outside a room at a resort in Pattaya city in Chonburi province. Chinese authorities had earlier coordinated with Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), saying Song was a key suspect under a Chinese arrest warrant for allegedly “organising gambling activities.” Investigators found that between 2024 and 2025 the suspect established a criminal network and set up gambling operations in mountainous forest areas to evade inspection by Beijing police. Authorities said the operation used more than 20 million yuan (about 91 million baht) in circulating capital and hosted gambling sessions more than 150 times. Song is also believed to be linked to several other criminal cases before fleeing overseas. Thai police from the patrol unit and the Immigration Bureau’s investigation division later tracked the suspect’s movements and discovered he was hiding at a resort in Pattaya. Officers moved in to verify the information and found Song staying at the resort as reported. After informing their superiors, authorities revoked his permission to stay in Thailand and arrested him, notifying him of the visa revocation. During questioning, the suspect denied all allegations, claiming he was unaware of the incidents. Police transferred him to Immigration Bureau investigators for further legal proceedings.