Five Indian nationals have been arrested in Thailand in connection with an alleged kidnapping and ransom plot in which three fellow Indians were lured to the country through a discounted holiday package, held captive for a week and allegedly tortured for a ₹70 lakh ransom.
According to Thai police, the Thailand kidnapping case was orchestrated by a Pakistani national operating from Dubai, while the accused in Thailand allegedly carried out the abduction and confinement of the victims.
Five Indian suspects arrested in Bangkok
Thai authorities arrested Avtar Singh (38), Jagjit Singh (38), Rambalak Kumar (24), Sukhbir Singh (37) and Kulra Singh (27) at a hotel in Bangkok’s Khlong Tan area.
Investigators said the suspects were allegedly preparing to leave Thailand when they were taken into custody.
Police claim the group had been communicating with a Pakistani handler based in Dubai for about a month through an online messaging application. The alleged mastermind reportedly coordinated the operation remotely and planned to receive ransom payments through digital transfers.
Victims allegedly lured with discounted Thailand tour
According to investigators, the three Indian victims, aged between 23 and 26, were persuaded to travel to Thailand after being offered a low-cost seven-day tour package.
Each victim reportedly paid about 70,000 baht for the trip before arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 21 and travelling to Pattaya.
Police said the victims were taken individually from a meeting point in Pattaya to a house in Bang Lamung district, where they were allegedly held against their will.
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Victims allegedly tortured for ₹70 lakh ransom
Investigators said the three men were confined inside bedrooms with their hands, legs and mouths tied.
Police reported finding visible injuries and bruises on the victims after rescuing them. According to investigators, the victims alleged they were beaten repeatedly, deprived of food and restricted from using the toilet.
Authorities said the kidnappers allegedly forced the victims to contact their families in India and demand a combined ransom of ₹70 lakh.
Thai police launched the rescue operation after relatives in India alerted authorities about the alleged kidnapping.
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Dubai-based mastermind under investigation
Police believe the kidnappers used a phone number registered in Dubai to conceal the location of those directing the operation.
Investigators allege the Pakistani mastermind instructed the accused to abduct the victims, seize their valuables and cash, and later provided plans for their escape from Thailand after the ransom was secured.
The investigation into the alleged mastermind and any additional accomplices remains ongoing.
