Big Raan, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, arrested a Chinese fugitive wanted by Interpol for murder, who had concealed himself in Thailand for 30 years using a fake Thai ID card. He operated a full-service tour business in Pattaya for 30 years, amassing wealth. Registered capital was 89 million baht, with assets seized worth nearly 100 million baht. Deportation preparations are underway.
At 1:00 p.m. on 13 September 2026, Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (designate Commissioner), Mr. Naruetcha Khosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, along with Police Lieutenant General Nopasil Poolsawat, Commander of the Police Office of the Commissioner, Police Major General Thirachai Chamnammo, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Police Region 2, Police Major General Pongpan Wongmaneethes, Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, officers from Provincial Police Region 2, Chonburi Provincial Police, Immigration Police, Tourist Police, the Provincial Governor’s Office, Bang Lamung District Chief, officials from DOPA N.I.C.E. anti-security coordination center, and Department of Provincial Administration officials executed a Pattaya Provincial Court arrest warrant No. 509/2569 for false document submission (fake ID card) to detain Mr. Suchart Surachai or Mr. Zhu Zhishan, aged 67, a Chinese national. Evidence showed he had forged a Thai ID and operated a full-service tour business in Thailand for nearly 40 years. He also had a serious criminal record involving murder in China and was wanted by Interpol. He was arrested at a house in Moo 7, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
Further investigation revealed that Mr. Suchart Surachai, whose real name is Mr. Zhu Zhishan, aged 67, a Chinese national, has a serious criminal record for intentional homicide in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China. Chinese authorities issued an arrest warrant on 9 January 1990, 36 years ago. In 2020, Interpol issued a Red Notice (No. A-6202/7-2020). He fled China to Myanmar before crossing the border into Thailand.
In 2001, Mr. Zhu Zhishan assumed the identity of a Karen individual and obtained a Thai ID card from Phop Phra District, Tak Province, after paying 50,000 baht in fees. He acquired a Thai ID card under the name Suchart Surachai (ID No. 8 6307 84054 681). Using this ID, he started conducting business in Pattaya, owning five companies operating full-service tours including hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and other tourism-related ventures. The registered capital of these companies totaled over 89 million baht. He conducted business in Pattaya for over 30 years.
Additionally, during his time in Thailand, Mr. Suchart Surachai, real name Zhu Zhishan, registered his marriage in Bang Lamung District to Ms. Yunhua Ren on 12 November 1990. They have twin children, a boy and a girl, now 12 years old, both granted Thai citizenship via birth certificates. Records show that over 13 years, Mr. Zhu moved his registered address eight times, moving from Phop Phra District in Tak Province in 2003 to Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, with seven more address changes within Bang Lamung. His most recent registered address, dated 22 April 2016, is 223/36 Moo 9, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi, which matches the current address on his ID card.
This arrest followed Mr. Suchart Surachai (Zhu Zhishan) applying for a visa to travel back to China. Chinese authorities detected irregularities because he was originally a Chinese citizen but had obtained Thai nationality under suspicious circumstances. China investigated and confirmed that Suchart Surachai was indeed Zhu Zhishan, wanted for intentional homicide. The Chinese embassy contacted the Thai Ministry of Interior requesting urgent investigation.
Recently, the Ministry of Interior’s DOPA N.I.C.E. anti-security center found that Mr. Zhu Zhishan submitted documents to renew his Thai ID card at Bang Lamung District but lacked some key documents. The district office’s in-depth checks revealed many irregularities, prompting a report back to the Department of Provincial Administration. Officials also interviewed Karen relatives in the highland area to confirm if Mr. Suchart Surachai was related, which they denied, suggesting identity fraud. The Department ordered the Bang Lamung District Chief to file a complaint with Bang Lamung Police, leading to an arrest warrant for false statements and documents for obtaining an ID card. Police then investigated, obtained a Pattaya court warrant, and arrested Mr. Suchart Surachai at his residence on the evening of 12 September 2026 (arrest video available).
During the operation, Police General Samran Nualma and Director-General Naruetcha Khosasivilai inspected the suspect’s residence, which covers about 90 square wah. Behind the house, a secret underground room was found, converted from a swimming pool into a large concealed chamber containing many antiques and sacred amulets. Police seized these items for examination. They also seized numerous assets including 11 land deeds totaling 10 rai (nine registered to companies, two to individuals), all in prime locations in central Pattaya, and over six vehicles, with total value nearing 100 million baht (89.5 million baht).
Mr. Naruetcha Khosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, disclosed that the operation was a cooperation between Thai and Chinese authorities. Upon learning the case, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul ordered an urgent investigation, leading to the arrest of Mr. Suchart (Zhu Zhishan) and revocation of Thai citizenship for him and his twin children. The Ministry plans to apply the updated Deportation Act of 2026, effective 28 August 2026, to strictly handle foreigners committing crimes in Thailand. They will expand investigations into the improper issuance of Thai ID cards to this individual, with a fact-finding committee established in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, conducting a thorough probe. Further, similar cases involving foreigners have been found, and the Ministry will cooperate with the Royal Thai Police to eradicate such groups.
Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (designate Commissioner), stated that the murder committed by Zhu Zhishan in China occurred 36 years ago in 1990. The case is still valid, and Thai authorities are preparing evidence to prosecute before extraditing him to China for legal proceedings. Investigations will also target all individuals involved with Zhu Zhishan. Assets worth nearly 100 million baht have been seized.
Furthermore, the Royal Thai Police will rigorously crack down on nominee networks, having already conducted more than 10 phases publicly recognized by citizens. The aim is to recover benefits and assets back to Thailand. Authorities urge the public to report any criminal activity by foreigners to the Royal Thai Police, which will continue strict enforcement and arrests.