Four Thai nationals, including a former beauty contestant, have been arrested over the alleged kidnapping of a wealthy Chinese man named Wang Namfen. Phetcharada Saengsakul, also known as “Nam Phet,” her boyfriend Suphaporn Halmun, and two other accomplices have now been taken into custody after holding Wang for a ransom of 4 million baht.
The case came to light when Wang’s friend, only known as “Yu”, reported to Lumpini Police Station that he had not heard from Wang in several days. Later it was discovered that three men had entered Wang’s flat on Sathorn Road and carted him out in a large plastic box after they had called the condo concierge for a bag rack to carry down the box, containing Mr. Wang (the box barely seems large enough for a live, intact human).
Chinese man kidnapped in a plastic box – Bangkok Post
They then drove him to Hua Hin in Phetcharada’s BMW (that Mr. Wang had given to her), where they demanded money and allegedly beat him up until he paid the ransom.
Both Thonglor and Lumpini police confirmed that the suspects had confessed to the kidnapping. Phetcharada, who had previously been Wang’s girlfriend, said that he had been very generous to her during their relationship, buying her the BMW and giving her a monthly allowance of 100,000 baht.
Police allege that she conspired with her current boyfriend and other friends to kidnap Wang and demand more money from him.
While detained in Hua Hin, Mr. Wang was forced to transfer 2 million baht to an accomplice called Kob, and then 900,000 to the account of another accomplice named Sarita. Police say they have recovered 2.3 million baht of the 3.93 million baht transferred by Wang so far.
Phetcharada’s current boyfriend reportedly does not have a steady job and is allegedly “addicted to gambling”. All four suspects remain in custody, facing charges of kidnapping and extortion.
SOURCES: Nation Thailand | Bangkok Post
