Pattaya police AI nabs 4 serious criminals

[Gaybutton]

As controversial as AI may be, I am in favor of it when used properly and gets results.
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Pattaya Tourist Police Use AI Cameras to Nab Four Wanted Scam Gang Members at Laem Bali Hai Pier

January 22, 2026

Pattaya Tourist Police have arrested four suspects with outstanding arrest warrants for their alleged involvement in transnational online scam operations, thanks to advanced AI-powered surveillance cameras installed at key locations.

According to Pattaya police reports, the first arrest occurred today when an AI camera at the Laem Bali Hai Pier detected and alerted officers to Mr. Pongskorn, alias “Few” Khemrak, aged 20. He was wanted under Bangkok Criminal Court warrant No. 2002/2568, issued on March 21st, 2025. The charges against him include participation in a transnational criminal organization, involvement in serious crimes without objection, membership in a secret society (angyi), gang robbery, joint fraud by impersonation, deceitful computer data entry likely to cause public harm, and money laundering.

Mr. Pongskorn was detained and transferred to Phaya Thai Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Later, at around 3:10 PM, the same AI camera at Laem Bali Hai Pier flagged another individual: Mr. Sahawat Srimanee, 26, wanted under Bangkok Criminal Court warrant No. 1477/2568 dated March 1st, 2025. He faced identical charges to the first suspect, related to organized transnational fraud and cybercrimes.

Mr. Sahawat told officers he was en route to Koh Larn island for a trip with two friends. Police inspected his companions and discovered they too had active arrest warrants.

The two additional suspects were:

– Ms. Suphaphon Buychong, 24, wanted under Bangkok South Criminal Court warrant No. J 639/2568 dated June 25th, 2025, for joint fraud by impersonation, deceit, and entering false computer data likely to harm others or the public. She was transferred to Wat Phraya Krai Police Station.

– Mr. Banchar Hwan Kaew, 24, wanted under Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Court warrant No. J 6/2568 dated January 8, 2025, for joint fraud by impersonation, deceitful or falsified computer data entry likely to cause public harm, and knowingly allowing others to use his bank or electronic accounts for tech-related crimes or other offenses, despite knowing or should have known the illicit purpose. He was handed over to Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station.

During questioning, one of the suspects revealed how they became entangled in the scam operations. The individual explained posting on social media seeking any job with accommodation and flexible salary. A contact offered an admin position in Cambodia with housing provided. Desperate for income, the person agreed and was smuggled across the border illegally.

Upon arrival, they discovered the “job” involved working in a scam compound, posing as romantic interests to deceive Thai victims into purchasing goods or sending money (commonly known as romance scams or investment fraud). The suspect claimed to have personally defrauded victims out of up to 300,000 baht, receiving a monthly salary of about 600 USD. After the operation shut down, the group pooled money to hire smugglers for a risky return to Thailand, paying around 10,000 baht each and trekking about 1 km through jungle terrain. They re-entered Thailand on January 17th, 2026, and headed to Pattaya for a leisure trip to Koh Larn before being apprehended by the AI system.

The arrests show the growing effectiveness of Pattaya Tourist Police’s AI camera network in identifying and capturing fugitives involved in cyber fraud and organized crime, particularly those linked to overseas scam syndicates preying on victims through online deception.

https://thepattayanews.com/2026/01/22/p ... -hai-pier/

[Gaybutton]

Assuming the article is correct, then this AI Camera system seems to be working. The number of arrests have risen from 4 to 164 since the article above. Unless I have misunderstood something, that seems unrealistically high to me - an average of more than 5 arrests per day if all those arrests are being attributed to the camera system.

In any case, here's the article:
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Tourist Police in Pattaya Arrest Fugitive Using AI Camera System

By Adam Judd

February 22, 2026

Officers from Sub-Division 4, Company 2, Battalion 1 of the Tourist Police successfully apprehended a wanted suspect in Pattaya on Thursday afternoon, marking the 164th arrest in the region and the 762nd overall by the Tourist Police Command.

The arrest occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. while Tourist Police officers were on routine duty in their assigned area. The breakthrough came thanks to the AI-powered CCTV system, which is integrated with the national warrant database of the Central Investigation Bureau. The smart cameras flagged the individual as matching an active arrest warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court.

The suspect faces multiple serious charges listed in the warrant from the Pattaya Municipal Court, including:

– Joint theft involving a vehicle, used to facilitate the crime or transport stolen property
– Joint fraud (as per the arrest warrant from the Pattaya Municipal Court)
– Jointly taking and disposing of another person’s documents in a manner likely to cause harm to the public
– Jointly forging official documents and using forged documents

This arrest shows the ongoing effectiveness of the Tourist Police’s AI surveillance technology in Pattaya and surrounding areas of Chonburi, which has been instrumental in detecting and detaining fugitives in tourist-heavy zones. The system automatically cross-references faces captured on camera with outstanding warrants, enabling rapid response by on-duty officers.

The detained individual was taken into custody for further legal proceedings, including transfer to the relevant authorities for prosecution. Tourist Police officials have not released the suspect’s identity pending formal charges and court processes.

The deployment of AI cameras has become a key tool in combating crime in Thailand’s major tourist destinations, with authorities crediting the technology for numerous successful apprehensions in recent years.

https://thepattayanews.com/2026/02/22/t ... ra-system/

[Jun]

Well presumably that could pick up anyone for whom they have photos ? Overstayers etc.

[Gaybutton]

Well presumably that could pick up anyone for whom they have photos ? Overstayers etc.

That is certainly a plausible explanation, but 164 still seems like quite a number to me. Did these AI cameras really do what the police couldn't do for themselves, especially if they had photos available?

I have no problem about "Big Brother" watching if criminals are being caught as a result. I'm glad criminals are getting caught, but I wonder how many end up in jail and for how long before they are right back out there again.

[Jun]

They don't mention over what time period the 164 arrests were made or even if that's 164 due to AI cameras. It also says 164 "in the region", which could be a wider area.

They don't mention where the AI technology is from, but I would guess it's China.