Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered a strict crackdown on gray capital activities following the discovery of a billboard advertising the sale of passports from four countries at Huai Khwang intersection.
The government and relevant agencies have been closely monitoring the influx of gray capital disguised as tourists, Srettha said.
He recently met with Pol. Lt. Gen. Thiti Sangsawang, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to discuss the issue and ordered a thorough investigation into the passport sales advertisement.
“I don’t want to say too much as it could jeopardize the case,” Srettha said, assuring the public that progress is being made.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthiphol Itthisarnronchai, the Immigration Bureau Commissioner, along with Pol.Lt.Gen. Thiti and other officials, have been investigating the case. Their investigation led to the arrest of a Chinese couple, Xin Ling, 33, and his wife, Su Na, 35.
Xin Ling is wanted in China for document forgery and is a fugitive from Chinese law enforcement. Thai immigration authorities have issued a deportation order against him.
Xin Ling was apprehended at Don Mueang International Airport while attempting to leave the country. Immigration officials confirmed that his permission to stay in Thailand had been revoked. He was subsequently transferred to the Immigration Suppression Division for further legal proceedings.
The investigation revealed that Xin Ling’s wife, Su Na, was involved in the passport sales operation. A search of Xin Ling’s phone uncovered evidence linking it to the phone number listed on the advertisement. Su Na confessed to using her husband’s phone to contact potential clients for passport services, although no customers had contacted her yet.
Su Na has been charged with working without a work permit and has been sentenced to four months in prison and fined 5,000 baht.
The sentence was suspended for one year, and she has been blacklisted and banned from entering Thailand. Xin Ling is currently awaiting deportation. (TNA)
