BANGKOK – Immigration police arrested a foreigner following a tense highway pursuit across northeastern provinces. The suspect allegedly drove a luxury Mercedes-Benz while using a stolen national identity card.
Officers tracked the vehicle for over 100 kilometers before boxing it in along Nittayo Road in Nakhon Phanom. The driver carried official documents registered to a genuine Thai citizen whose credentials had been revoked.
Key Takeaways
- Cross-Province Pursuit: Police chased a luxury Mercedes-Benz for over 100 kilometers from Sakon Nakhon to Nakhon Phanom.
- Stolen Identities: The suspect used revoked credentials from a Thai citizen and previously stole two other identities.
- Major Financial Probe: Authorities are now investigating potential money laundering networks worth several hundred million baht.
The dramatic operation started when Sakon Nakhon immigration investigators spotted the black luxury vehicle, the driver sped toward the border to evade arrest.
Immigration Division 4 commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Phairat Phukcharoen deployed Highway Police and local district officials to form road blockades. Teams cornered the vehicle in Nong Yat sub-district and detained the foreign driver without further incident.
During initial roadside questioning, the man presented a Thai driving license and national identity card issued under the name Boontham. However, biometric database checks revealed that the original owner’s identification had already been stolen and canceled by the government.
Suspect Linked to Decade-Long Fraud Operations
Investigators identified the driver as an undocumented foereigner of Southeast Asian descent. Police records show that the suspect has engaged in sophisticated public deception and financial fraud cases dating back to 2014.
Court files in Suphan Buri province link him to bad checks, fraudulent statements to public officials, and fake passports. In addition, the suspect illegally assumed the identities of at least two native citizens during that period to open accounts.
Officers handed the detainee over to the Nakhon Phanom City Police Station for formal prosecution. Charges include unlawful entry into the kingdom, providing false information to officials, and using illicit government documentation.
Multi-Million Baht Money Laundering Investigation Underway
Senior investigators are now focusing on the suspect’s unexplained wealth and lavish lifestyle. Authorities suspect that his fraudulent documents served as an entry point for larger transnational criminal schemes.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Phairat stated that financial intelligence units are auditing several bank accounts connected to the stolen identities. They aim to dismantle illegal networks suspected of laundering hundreds of millions of baht through shadow companies.
This crackdown aligns with the strict national campaign led by the Immigration Bureau to target illicit foreign syndicates. Officials emphasized that strong enforcement will continue to safeguard national security and protect innocent citizens from identity theft.
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