Three Chinese – Wang Jianlan, 31, Zhang Jingjing, 30, Jiang Yuemei, 32 – were accused by the Chinese government of committing tax fraud worth 210 million yuan (about Bt1 billion) and smuggling illicit substances.

The three had escaped prosecution by entering Thailand on tourist visas. They were arrested last Monday at Phuket International Airport and the Centrio condominium in Phuket.

Meanwhile, Smolnikov Vasillii, 42, a Russian owner of a construction company, was nabbed last Monday in Songkhla’s Sadao district. He was wanted by Interpol for allegedly faking documents involving a construction project for the Russian government and bribing officials. He fled to Thailand on January 3, 2013.

Markus Andre, 56, a German, was captured in Pattaya after allegedly fleeing his country and entering Thailand on December 29, 2014. There was an arrest warrant out for him for allegedly defaulting on debts.

Patrice Giuliana, 58, a Frenchman, was sentenced by a French court to 15 years in jail for raping his daughter, born to his ex-wife, in 2012. He allegedly fled prosecution to Thailand on September 7, 2012 and was detained in Chana Songkram subdistrict.

Paul Strubin, 67, a Swiss man wanted for fraud and embezzlement, entered the country on October 3, 2013. He was arrested in Pattaya after overstaying his visa by 960 days.