5 Chinese tourists kidnapped, extorted for $67,000 in Bangkok

The tourists were kidnapped in order to extort them of 2.5 million baht (US$67,000).

Among the arrested are a police sergeant working at the police emergency communication center, and a former chief investigator in Bangkok who was fired from the force in 2023, Bangkok Post reported.

Another suspect is still on the lam as Thai authorities expand their investigation into the kidnapping.

Initial investigations revealed that a group of men claiming to be police officers broke into the hotel room where the tourists were staying on April 25, The Nation reported.

The gang "accused the tourists of violating the law and ordered them to go to the police station for further investigation."

Camera footage showed the gang abducting the tourists via four cars parked in front of the hotel.

According to police, the gang demanded the tourists transfer 2.5 million baht to a designated bank account.

Fearing imprisonment in a foreign country, the tourists agreed to transfer the money and were then released.

On April 29, the tourists filed a complaint with police.

Thailand has received nearly 10 million foreign visitors so far this year, according to its Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Of that figure, China has been the country’s largest source of travelers from abroad.