Nopphasin ordered the Immigration Rapid Response Team to assist a Chinese student after threats of arm amputation and a 10 million baht ransom demand, successfully tracking and locating him within 30 minutes.
On 14 Nov 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopphasin Poonsawat, IB commander, deployed the Immigration Rapid Response Team to Pattaya, Chonburi, following urgent coordination from Chinese police to assist Yu Xuan, a 19-year-old Chinese student believed to be a victim of a call center scam. He was lured into Thailand and threatened with a 10 million baht ransom demand and arm amputation if unpaid.
The operation was led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Thanit Thaiwatcharamat, IB deputy commander; Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarawut Khonyai, IB Investigation Division chief; Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, Immigration Division 3 chief; and Pol. Maj. Gen. Decho Sosuwanakul, Immigration Division 5 chief. The team traced the student's location and safely rescued him within 30 minutes after receiving the alert.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopphasin revealed that around 11:00 on the same day, the student's parents, studying in New South Wales, Australia, received a 6-second video clip from their son. In it, he said, “Mom, Dad, it's 14 Nov. I am safe now,” but the family noticed something suspicious, as if someone was beside him directing his speech.
By 13:00, someone using the son's WeChat account sent a ransom demand of 2 million yuan, about 10 million baht, with a 2-hour deadline and threats that their son’s life would be in danger if unpaid. Worried, the parents delayed, claiming they couldn't raise the money immediately. The perpetrators extended the deadline to 24 hours but escalated threats to cut off their son's arm. The family then lost contact via WeChat and phone.
The family promptly reported the case to Chinese police, who confirmed the student had entered Thailand since 13 Nov. Chinese police urgently coordinated with Thai Immigration Police for assistance.
Upon receiving this information, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopphasin elevated the case to an urgent mission, dispatching the Immigration Rapid Response Team to Pattaya to verify data and trace the student's accommodation. They found him at a hotel and safely rescued him.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopphasin praised all Immigration officers involved for rescuing the victim within 30 minutes, reflecting readiness and proactive work aligned with policy aiming for Immigration Police to be more than a border control unit but a key force against transnational crime and quick emergency responders. He stressed that Immigration Police must keep pace with crime, acting before losses occur, prioritizing the safety of locals and foreigners to build international confidence in Thai police.