Chuwit’s latest Facebook bombshell prompts swift police reaction
Police expect to arrest a Chinese national suspected of having links to triads today, after the Immigration Bureau revoked his visa, Deputy National Police Chief General Surachet Hakparn told a press conference on Friday morning.
The suspect, Yu Xinqi, is still in Thailand and police have been monitoring his residence in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district since Thursday, Surachet said.
On Thursday, whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit alleged that members of Chinese triads arrived in Thailand under the cover of a foundation set up by Yu Xinqi.
The massage-parlour tycoon turned anti-corruption crusader has made a series of allegations that led to a national investigation into Chinese criminal gangs operating in Thailand with help from authorities, including customs, immigration, and police officers.
Yu Xinqi set up the Shaanxi Association of Thailand as a front for triad activity, using it to forge relationships with Thai establishment figures, including monks, Chuwit alleged in a Facebook post.
Surachet, who is responsible for Chinese triad investigations, said officials found no evidence Yu Xinqi left Thailand.
The suspect has been using photos of himself with high-ranking Thai figures to lure other Chinese nationals into investing with him, claiming that he has connections with influential Thai people, Surachet said.
The deputy national police chief admitted that the suspect had taken a photo with him, but said it was taken without his knowledge.
Surachet said police will file three initial charges against Yu Xinqi – committing public fraud, establishing a foundation without a permit, and impersonating a member of the royal family.
After arresting the suspect, police will search his house and his foundation for evidence of any possible links to criminal activity, he added.
Police expect more people to file complaints against Yu Xinqi and provide information useful to their investigation, Surachet said.
