Thailand, at 1:00 PM April 18th, 2025 — Police from Yannawa Station and the Metropolitan Investigation Unit rescued three Indian men who had been found tied up after being kidnapped for ransom.
The suspects had demanded 2.5 million rupees (about 900,000 baht) from the victims’ families. Seven suspects were arrested—six Indians and one Pakistani—at a safehouse in Samut Prakan and a condo in Pattaya, Chonburi.
The case began on April 14th, when Mr. Sanjeev, 27, reported to police that he and two friends, Mr. Ramesh, 47, and Mr. Amandeep, 26, had arrived in Thailand on April 5th. They initially stayed at a hotel in Sathorn, then moved to another on Silom Road.
On April 14th, Ramesh and Amandeep were lured away by an Indian man who promised to take them to the airport for a flight to Vietnam—but instead brought them to a house in Samut Prakan.
On April 16th, Ramesh’s sister contacted Sanjeev via WhatsApp, saying she had been threatened by a man named Sandhu, who claimed to be holding the two men hostage and demanded 2.5 million rupees for their release.
Police tracked Sandhu to a condo in Pattaya and discovered WhatsApp messages linking him to the ransom threat. The hostages were later found in Samut Prakan, tied up and detained. A third victim had also been lured from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Taxi driver Wirat, 53, who unknowingly transported the victims, said the men showed no signs of distress during the ride and entered the house without force.
Police revealed the suspects posed as job agents offering work in Australia, tricking victims into coming to Bangkok to “process paperwork.” Once there, they were held captive, and relatives were contacted for ransom. Victims were threatened with violence if they failed to cooperate.
Police are now coordinating with immigration and the Indian embassy to verify the suspects’ backgrounds. Although the group entered Thailand legally, investigations are ongoing, including checking for any Thai involvement. The suspects and victims reportedly knew each other through job arrangements and financial background information.
One victim said the kidnappers allegedly beat them with sticks wrapped in tape and threatened to mutilate them to pressure their families. All suspects face charges of illegal detention and attempted extortion and have been handed over to Yannawa police for prosecution.
