CHIANG RAI – Police have arrested a group of Chinese men operating computers in a rented house in central Chiang Rai. They were connecting to the internet, using SIM cards, and holding a large number of mobile phones.
On Friday, Police Major General Manop Senakul, Chiang Rai Provincial Police Commander, and Police Colonel Phasakorn Thawatchaengkul, Chief of Investigations, received a tip-off that a group of Chinese nationals were staying at a house in Rob Wiang subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai, within Chiang Rai Municipality. Their behaviour raised suspicion, so an inquiry team was sent to look into it.
The house was a rental with unusually high electricity use. Four Chinese men were living there. When plainclothes officers, posing as locals, tried to check, one man panicked, spotted the officers, and ran inside.
The officers entered the house and found three more Chinese men working on computers. Nearby, around 20 to 30 internet routers and servers used for data storage and processing were lined up on racks. More equipment was found, including desktop computers, SIM cards, and various accessories.
During questioning, the men were identified as Yin Peng, Huang Jianjian, Luo Chuanqing, and Huang Yuanping. All held Chinese passports but could not communicate in Thai. The investigation team contacted relevant agencies to continue inquiries and take legal action.
Illegal Karaoke Bar Raided in Chiang Rai
In a separate case, an illegal karaoke bar in Pa Daet district of Mae Suay, Chiang Rai, was found to be using girls aged 15 to 17 for sex work. Charges have been filed.
On Thursday, Chiang Rai Governor Rattaphon Naradisorn received a report of an unlicensed karaoke venue operating after hours and procuring girls aged 15 to 17 in Pa Daet district.
Deputy Governor Prasert Jitpaleechiyp, Provincial Clerk Suphot Saenmee, and Pa Daet District Chief Khwantrakoon Hankla ordered an operation named Chiang Rai Fahsai to restore social order and combat human trafficking.
The provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Command at Krathum Baen coordinated with Police Major General Manop Senakul. Forces included the Chiang Rai Territorial Defence Volunteers Unit and officers from the Chiang Rai Child and Family Shelter.
They inspected the Kan Phak venue in Pa Nga subdistrict, Pa Daet district. Inside the single-storey building, there were six karaoke tables in the lobby and one VIP room, with customers singing at the time.
Three sex workers were found, including a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old. The venue was run by Pitthirat, aged 38, a Chiang Rai resident. The bar held licences to operate a video service and sell alcohol, but it had no entertainment venue licence.
Initial charges include operating an entertainment venue without a licence, inciting children to commit offences, and employing child labour. Officials will work with a multidisciplinary team to identify trafficking victims and refer the case to the Pa Daet Police Station for further legal proceedings.
