AI In-brief 14 Sept 17:27

Chinese murder fugitive built Pattaya empire using Thai identity

Thai police arrested Chu Che Chan, a 67-year-old Chinese man wanted for a 1990 murder in China, after he spent 36 years on the run living under a false Thai identity in Pattaya.
Chu allegedly obtained a fraudulent Thai ID card in 2001, assuming the name Suchart Surachai, after illegally entering Thailand from Myanmar.
Under his assumed identity, he established a substantial business empire in Pattaya, including hotels and restaurants, with over 89 million baht in registered capital and acquired nearly 100 million baht in land assets.
His identity was exposed during a visa application to China, prompting a joint investigation by Chinese and Thai authorities, who are now probing official complicity in the ID fraud and a broader network.

Thailand News in Brief