A former beauty contestant is among six suspects arrested over the abduction and 3.93 million baht ransom of her wealthy former Chinese boyfriend.
The abduction was allegedly planned by the former girlfriend and her Thai boyfriend, who had no job and liked gambling.
The six suspects, four men and two women, were arrested separately in Bangkok, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Pathum Thani provinces on Monday, police said.
The arrests followed a complaint filed with Lumpini police on April 15 by a Chinese man, Yu Jie, that his friend Wang Nanfeng had been abducted from a condominium room in the Lumpini area.
The suspects are Petchlada Sangsakun, her Thai boyfriend Supaphon Halman, Natthaphat “Kob’’ Sawasdee, Natthapong Khongkhamyu, Ms Sarita Donmuang, and another man identified only as Jo.
Ms Petchlada, known as ”Nampech”, was a Miss Grand Suphan Buri contestant in 2020, and is the former girlfriend of the Chinese victim.
Mr Yu, told police that he had been unable to contact his friend Mr Wang. His friend later contacted him via video call. He said not to file a police complaint as his abductors would free him after a ransom was paid.
However, Mr Yu said he noticed his friend had bruises on his face and he feared Mr Wang might be killed so he told the police.
Police learned Mr Wang formerly had a Thai girlfriend, later identified as Ms Petchlada. The relationship had lasted more than a year. He ended it about three months ago. The woman knew Mr Wang was wealthy and involved in a so-called “grey business’’, and allegedly abducted him for ransom with the help of the other suspects.
She believed he would not dare complain to police as he was wanted on an arrest warrant issued in China, according to police.
Her Thai boyfriend and two other men entered Mr Wang’s room using a key card provided by Ms Petchlada.
The abductors had tied Mr Wang’s hands and feet and put him in a large plastic box which they put in a car and drove to Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan, where they stayed for one night.
The men allegedly assaulted Mr Wang before making a video call to Mr Yu, demanding he transfer a total of 3.93 million baht to the bank accounts of Mr Nattthaphat and another woman, Ms Sarita.
After the money had been transferred, the gang freed Mr Wang at a restaurant in Hua Hin.
Earlier reports said he had caused a fight at the restaurant which led to him being arrested by police.
On Monday night, Mr Supaphon andMs Petchlada were arrested at a room in Thong Lor area of Bangkok. Police also impounded a BMW, which was earlier reported to have been given to the woman by the victim.
Police later arrested Ms Sarita at a car park behind Hua Hin police station and "Jo" at a house in Pathum Thani.
According to Thai media reports, Ms Petchlada had lately been working as a model and real estate agent.
She reportedly told police during questioning that her former Chinese boyfriend had been giving her 100,000 baht a month, while her Thai boyfriend had no permanent job and liked gambling.
