Immigration Police Unit 3 arrested Chinese amulet experts who were illegally operating amulet businesses inside a famous mall in the Ngamwongwan area, revealing a significant group of Chinese customers who favor Thai amulets.
On 13 Dec 2023, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, Commander of the Immigration Bureau, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Panthana Nuchnarat, Deputy Commander, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Police Unit 3, ordered Pol. Col. Suriya Puangsombat, Chief of Investigation Unit, Immigration Police Unit 3; Pol. Lt. Col. Pitipat Sritanaapinan, Deputy Chief; and Pol. Lt. Chaturachok Phetkhong, Investigator, to lead a raid arresting four foreigners illegally conducting business. The suspects were Mr. Tang, a 32-year-old Chinese national; Ms. Yo, a 27-year-old Chinese national; Mr. You, a 42-year-old Chinese national; and Ms. Wu, a 26-year-old Myanmar national. They were charged with "foreign nationals working without permission or beyond authorized rights."
The investigation began after the Immigration Police Unit 3 received a tip that a group of Chinese nationals was illegally operating amulet shops inside a famous department store in the Ngamwongwan area, Mueang Nonthaburi district. Upon inspection, officers discovered two locations where Chinese suspects were running businesses selling amulets and amulet frames.
At the first location, police arrested Mr. Tang and Ms. Yo, Chinese shop owners, who were in the midst of negotiating amulet sales with Chinese customers. They claimed to be amulet experts, buying and selling amulets and selling gold and silver amulet frames. At the second location, police arrested Mr. You, a Chinese shop owner, and Ms. Wu, a Myanmar employee, who were also operating a similar shop illegally.
During interrogation, Mr. You admitted that they had been illegally operating the amulet shop for over two years, citing a large customer base of Chinese nationals who admire Thai amulets. He opened the business to support his family and reported stable earnings averaging 50,000 to 100,000 baht per month. Authorities have detained all suspects for further legal action.