CHIANG RAI – On Friday, December 26, 2025, Thailand’s immigration police carried out two headline-making arrests involving foreign nationals accused of serious crimes. The operations sit alongside wider efforts to curb cross-border crime and keep tourists and locals safe. On the same day, the Immigration Bureau also pushed back hard against claims of improper conduct at Thailand’s airports.
Immigration officers in Chiang Mai, working with Doi Saket police and tourist police, arrested a 54-year-old Dutch man after several people reported aggressive and disruptive behaviour.
The case began with a complaint from a convenience store worker in the Doi Saket district. She said the man caused a scene on December 23, confronted her, and grabbed her by the collar, leaving her frightened. CCTV footage and witness statements supported her account and placed him on a motorcycle near the shop.
As the incident circulated, more complaints followed. Residents described similar run-ins, including one person who said he was assaulted at traffic lights. Immigration Police treated the growing number of reports as a public safety risk and moved quickly to track the suspect down.
Officers found and detained him on Friday, saying they acted to prevent further incidents. He is expected to face allegations linked to harassment and assault, along with any immigration breaches that may apply.
Enquiries are continuing, and officials said behaviour like this damages the safe and welcoming image Chiang Mai wants for residents and visitors.
The arrest also reflects a wider concern in parts of northern Thailand, where tourist areas have seen more reports of disruptive conduct, often around busy community spots such as convenience stores.
British Fugitive Arrested in Sisaket Over Domestic Abuse Allegations
In a separate case, police from the immigration police and the Central Investigation Bureau arrested a 26-year-old British man in Sisaket province in Thailand’s northeast.
The man, identified as Nicholas, was detained by the roadside in Kantharalak district. He is wanted in the United Kingdom under a warrant dated December 3, 2025, linked to alleged offences against his wife.
The allegations include coercive or controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship, administering a poisonous or noxious substance, causing injury, assault, and criminal damage. Investigators say he attacked his wife before leaving the UK and travelling to Thailand to avoid arrest.
Thai immigration police said the case shows closer cooperation with overseas agencies when tracking suspects and preparing extradition requests. Officers involved in the arrest said it follows a clear message from the Immigration Bureau that Thailand won’t serve as a refuge for people trying to escape prosecution abroad.
The British national remains in custody, and extradition steps are expected to begin soon. The arrest adds to a recent run of cases involving foreign fugitives found in Thailand during a broader crackdown on cross-border offenders.
Immigration Police Deny Claims of Airport Harassment
Also on Friday, Thailand’s Immigration police rejected reports suggesting its officers were harassing foreign tourists transiting through Thai airports on the way to Cambodia.
Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee called the claims false and said they didn’t match how airport transit works. He said passengers who are only transiting through airports such as Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, and then flying onwards to Cambodia, do not enter Thailand and therefore do not go through immigration checks.
Transit passengers remain in secure airside areas and head straight to their next gate without passing immigration control.
Choengron said the reports, which appeared in some international coverage and were referenced by certain Cambodian diplomatic posts, risk spreading misinformation and harming Thailand’s tourism trade.
The statement comes as Thailand applies tighter airport measures introduced earlier in December after rising tensions along the Cambodian border. These checks focus on people entering Thailand, including some visa-exempt arrivals, with officials saying the goal is to screen for security risks.
Even with stronger screening, authorities say daily foreign arrivals remain around 75,000 to 80,000. They also say genuine travellers should face limited disruption, with processing times capped at about 45 minutes per passenger, and visitors with proper documents welcomed as normal.
Choengron said the bureau is trying to balance security with Thailand’s standing as a leading tourist destination. He also warned that unverified claims can put people off travelling during the busy holiday period.
Overall, the day’s developments show the tight line Thai officials are trying to hold. They want firm immigration enforcement to reduce crime and security threats, while protecting the tourism sector that supports a large part of the economy.
As 2025 ends, the Immigration Bureau’s message remains clear: offences will be pursued, whether they happen inside Thailand or involve suspects arriving from abroad.
Some critics, including parts of the expat community, say stronger enforcement could affect long-stay residents and frequent travellers. Officials respond that targeted action helps protect law-abiding foreigners and Thai citizens alike.
Tourist numbers have held up, and Thailand appears set on keeping order without losing its reputation for hospitality. In the weeks ahead, more updates on entry rules may follow as tensions with neighbouring countries continue.
