Phuket –
Phuket Tourist Police, together with Phuket City Police, successfully apprehended a fraud suspect after advanced AI surveillance technology flagged him at Phuket International Airport.
The Phuket Tourist Police told the Phuket Express that at 8:20 a.m. on February 21 they arrested a 29‑year‑old man identified only as Mr. Chom, a Bangkok resident. The suspect was wanted under Phuket Provincial Court warrant issued on February 12, for charges related to the unlawful use of another person’s electronic card to make inflated service payments.
The breakthrough came when the airport’s AI‑enabled CCTV system cross‑referenced facial data with the Central Investigation Bureau’s database, triggering an alert for the outstanding warrant.
Later that evening, at 8:30 p.m. on February 20th, Tourist Police coordinated the Phuket City Police, to track the suspect near a hotel in Soi Bangyai, Wichit. Officers presented the warrant and took him into custody for questioning at Phuket City Police Station.
The case stems from complaints filed by more than 20 victims who alleged they were overcharged by a beauty clinic inside a central Phuket shopping mall. Customers reported financial obligations far exceeding the amounts initially explained before treatment. The total damages are estimated at over 3.7 million baht.
Following the investigation, police compiled evidence and sought court approval for the arrest warrant, leading to the eventual capture of Mr. Chom. He now faces charges of jointly committing fraud through unauthorized use of electronic cards, a crime that carries significant penalties under Thai law.
Authorities added that the use of AI technology at Phuket International Airport played a crucial role in swiftly identifying and apprehending the suspect, showing Thailand’s growing reliance on digital tools to enhance public safety and law enforcement efficiency.
