"Big Ron" ordered Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopphasil to lead a team from the police and administrative DOPA N.I.C.E. unit to arrest a Chinese man wanted under an INTERPOL red notice who evaded charges in Thailand for more than three decades by assuming Thai nationality before establishing businesses and owning assets in Chonburi worth over 100 million baht. Authorities are expanding the investigation into who received the 50,000 baht payment linked to the illegal ID card issuance.
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On 13 September, Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, ordered Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopphasil Poonsawat, Chief of Staff to the Police Commissioner, along with police and administrative officials, to jointly arrest Mr. Suchart Surachai, also known as Mr. Zhu Zhishan, a Chinese national wanted under an INTERPOL red notice and as a key suspect sought by Chinese authorities. He was also wanted under Pattaya Provincial Court arrest warrant No. 509/2026, and was apprehended at his residence in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, before being taken to Bang Lamung Police Station for prosecution.
Pol. Gen. Samran revealed that Thai authorities received coordination from China through the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting investigation and extradition of Mr. Zhu Zhishan, wanted under an INTERPOL red notice for intentional assault occurring on 19 January 1990 in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China. The suspect fled China and entered Thailand. Investigations found that the individual under the red notice may be the same person as "Mr. Suchart Surachai," who may have unlawfully acquired Thai nationality and once held a Thai passport. The Ministry of Interior was asked to verify whether Mr. Zhu or Mr. Suchart had Thai nationality or if it had been revoked.
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The Department of Provincial Administration, through the DOPA N.I.C.E. unit, collaborated with police to conduct a retrospective investigation, finding that Mr. Suchart was unlawfully registered as a Thai national through the highland person registration process in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, and first obtained a Thai ID card on 1 November 2001. Consequently, his nationality and related registration were revoked, and legal complaints were filed after discovering he had also applied for an ID card in Bang Lamung District despite lacking lawful Thai nationality, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant and the current arrest.
Pol. Gen. Samran added that during interrogation, the suspect admitted to obtaining the Thai ID card in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, at a cost of about 50,000 baht. Authorities will investigate and expand the inquiry to determine who received this payment, whether any individuals or officials were involved, and whether similar actions were taken with others.
After acquiring Thai status, the suspect lived and worked continuously in Thailand, initially as a tour guide and in the tourism business before settling in Pattaya. He has a family with a Chinese wife and twin children. Records show his involvement in several companies and ownership of 17 land plots in Bang Lamung District valued at over 100 million baht, plus multiple cars and motorcycles. Authorities will verify the acquisition and legal status of these assets.
Initially, the suspect was handed over to Bang Lamung Police Station to face charges under the arrest warrant. The Royal Thai Police will proceed with the legal process for extradition at the request of Chinese authorities.