Bangkok: Thai authorities have rescued three Indian tourists who were allegedly abducted and held captive in Pattaya, while demanding a ransom of Rs 40 lakh (4 million rupees) from each victim’s family, in a major cross-border crime investigation.
According to details released by the Indian Community Eastern Thailand (ICE Thailand) and community representatives, the operation was carried out jointly by Chonburi Immigration Police and Pattaya City Police, leading to the safe recovery of the victims and the arrest of five suspects.
Among those detained are Avtar Singh from Punjab’s Jalandhar district, Jagjit Singh from Amritsar, and Rambalak Kumar from Bihar. Authorities have withheld the identities of two other suspects as investigations continue. All those arrested are currently being treated as suspects, with charges to be determined through court proceedings.
Police said the three Indian nationals had arrived in Thailand on July 21 as part of a tour package. They alleged that instead of being taken to their hotel after landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport, they were transported to a house in Pattaya, where they were allegedly confined, assaulted and forced into captivity.
The victims were rescued on July 27 from a two-storey townhouse in the Nong Prue area of Banglamung district. Investigators found the victims bound with ropes and cable ties, with their mouths taped shut. Officers also recovered ropes, tape, cable ties and red spray paint, which investigators believe was allegedly used to stage photographs showing the victims as seriously injured in an attempt to pressure their families into paying ransom.
The rescued tourists told investigators that each of their families was allegedly asked to pay Rs 40 lakh for their release. They also claimed another Indian national had previously been held by the same group and released after his family allegedly paid around Rs 30 lakh.
ICE Thailand said it worked closely with Thai law enforcement agencies and the Indian Embassy in Bangkok to assist the affected citizens and coordinate information throughout the rescue operation.
Thai police are now investigating whether the alleged gang had targeted other Indian or foreign tourists in similar schemes and are tracing the suspected flow of ransom money. Authorities have not ruled out further arrests as the investigation expands.
ICE Thailand expressed gratitude to Chonburi Immigration Police, Pattaya City Police, and other Thai authorities for their swift response, which led to the safe rescue of the three Indian nationals and the ongoing crackdown on the alleged kidnapping network.
