Three Chinese Women Rescued from Alleged Captivity in Pattaya-Area House

Three Chinese women have been rescued from a house in Banglamung, Chonburi, after allegedly being lured to Thailand for entertainment work, only to be subjected to assault, sexual abuse, detention, and an alleged ransom demand, according to Chonburi Immigration Police. Four Chinese men were arrested during the operation and face multiple serious charges, while investigators are expanding the case to identify other individuals potentially involved. Chonburi Immigration Police chief Pol. Col. Napaspong Khositsuriyamanee stated that officers received information around 10 p.m. on September 22 about individuals allegedly being held against their will and sexually assaulted at a house in a housing estate in the Rong Po–Motorway area of Banglamung. One of the women had reportedly contacted relatives for help via WeChat. Officers immediately began verifying the information and reviewing CCTV footage around the housing estate. The footage showed foreign nationals entering and leaving the house, leading investigators to believe it was the reported location. Upon arrival, officers heard a woman shouting for help from inside the property. Four Chinese men were apprehended as they attempted to leave the house and were detained for questioning. A subsequent search of the property led to the discovery of the three Chinese women. Two of the women descended from the second floor and called for assistance. A third woman was later found inside a wardrobe, allegedly restrained with a metal chain, and was brought to safety. The four suspects have been identified as Haiyang Liu, 31, Lan Liang Feng, 28, Xiao Jia Bin, 25, and Deng Shunzhi, 22. Three were reportedly without passports, while Deng was carrying one. The suspects have been initially charged with jointly coercing another person through the use of force, jointly detaining or confining another person, jointly committing rape, and jointly extorting property. Authorities took the four suspects to Pattaya City Police Station investigators on September 23 for further legal proceedings. Officials stated that after the case concludes, the suspects will face deportation and be placed on a blacklist, barring their return to Thailand. Investigators are also examining whether others were involved, as CCTV footage reportedly showed more than four individuals entering and leaving the housing estate and the house. To date, the four arrested suspects have not provided information useful to the investigation into possible accomplices. Officers are now seeking the house owner or landlord for questioning to establish how the property was rented and whether others were involved. The three women were safely removed from the property as the investigation continues. Information Source: Pattaya Mail