13-7-2024 (BANGKOK) Thai authorities have ramped up efforts to locate and rescue a Chinese woman believed to have been abducted and held for ransom by a fellow Chinese national in Thailand. The case has sparked concerns over the safety of foreign visitors in the country.
The investigation began when Cai Boxuan, a Chinese national, reported to the Bang Rak police station on Friday that his friend, 38-year-old Yan Ruimin, had gone missing. According to Cai, the last time he heard from Yan was on June 30, when she informed him of her plans to travel to Phuket on July 2. Fearing for her safety, Cai alerted the authorities.
As the case unfolded, Thai police sources revealed that Yan’s relatives, who had come to Thailand seeking assistance from the Chinese embassy, received a ransom demand of 1 million yuan (approximately 5 million baht) for her release. The suspected kidnapper, identified as Ma Qingyan, warned them against involving the police or embassy, threatening to jeopardize Yan’s safety.
In response, Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Thiti Sangsawang has ordered a comprehensive investigation, collaborating with the Immigration Bureau to locate Yan and apprehend the suspect.
Piecing together the evidence, authorities discovered that Ma had rented a car in Bangkok on June 30, with the vehicle delivered to a hotel in the Silom area where he was staying. Security camera footage captured Yan entering the rented car at Times Square near Sukhumvit Soi 12 on July 1.
The vehicle then embarked on a journey, first heading to Sukhumvit Soi 16 before leaving for Chon Buri the following day. In the early hours of July 3, the car was spotted in Chachoengsao before Yan’s phone signal went dark in an area near a public park close to Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan in Muang district.
According to police sources, Ma subsequently checked out of the Silom hotel, returned the rented car, and departed for Hong Kong via Suvarnabhumi airport on the afternoon of July 3.
