Beach town bust: Pattaya cops net Hong Kong murder suspect
Thai police apprehended a Hong Kong national linked to a drug-fuelled murder in a dramatic seaside sting, right in the heart of bustling Pattaya. The arrest is set against a backdrop of rising crime in the region, with Pattaya already recording five murders this year.
The high-stakes operation unfolded on Monday, March 31, as immigration officers closed in on the suspect at a rented residence in the sun-soaked coastal town of Chon Buri.
The man, known only as 25 year old Truong, was living with his Thai partner, a detail confirmed by Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyaluck, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau.
Truong is wanted by Hong Kong authorities for allegedly assaulting and causing the death of a fellow citizen in the Sha Tin district on March 16.
The plot thickens, as Hong Kong police identified two people involved in the sinister crime, with Truong reportedly making a swift escape to Thailand the night it occurred.
“The murder appears to have been a violent dispute over an illegal drug transaction,” Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas said.
Hong Kong officials wasted no time, issuing an arrest warrant and reaching out to the Royal Thai Police for collaboration.
Swiftly working their leads, immigration police tracked Truong to the Pattaya property, executing the arrest with precision. Bangkok Post reported that plans are already underway to deport him back to Hong Kong, a move confirmed by Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas.
The gripping arrest showcases the seamless cooperation between international law enforcement agencies and serves as a stark reminder of Pattaya’s darker underbelly, amid its reputation as a tourist haven.
The Royal Thai Police reported handling 16,618 cases related to crimes against life, body, and sex nationwide in 2024, resulting in 15,790 arrests. However, these statistics encompass the entire country and do not provide specific figures for Pattaya.
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