Wealthy Chinese murder fugitive caught after living in Thailand for 30 years
A wealthy Chinese murder fugitive who spent more than 30 years living the high life in Thailand as a tourism entrepreneur has finally been caught.
Zhu Zhishan, 67, was wanted in China over 'intentional homicide' before fleeing to neighbouring Myanmar in 1990.
He allegedly pretended to be from the native Karen indigenous tribe, then paid a 50,000-baht (then around 780 GBP) processing fee to assume a Thai identity in 2001.
Using the name Suchat Surachai, the suspected killer settled in 'Sin City' Pattaya, where he built a network of tourism businesses such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, and real estate ventures, earning him vast sums over several years.
He had also amassed other assets, including 11 land plots and six vehicles. His net worth is said to have been more than 10 million USD.
Zhu had been living the high life with his glamorous Chinese wife and two privately educated kids before police raided his sprawling home in the Bang Lamung district on September 12.
Cops and Interior Ministry officials searched the property, where they discovered a secret underground room hidden beneath the house.
The chamber had allegedly been created by converting a swimming pool and contained a large collection of Buddhist amulets and antiques, which were seized for examination.
Authorities also seized title deeds for 11 plots of land, with nine registered under a company and two in his personal name, as well as six vehicles.
Zhu was charged with allegedly causing a government official, acting in the course of their duties, to enter false information in an official document intended as evidence, potentially causing harm to others or the public. He was also accused of providing false information or evidence to authorities when applying for an identification card.
Authorities have revoked the tycoon's Thai citizenship and will also revoke the Thai citizenship previously granted to his children.
Thai officials said the arrest followed cooperation with Chinese authorities, who had flagged Zhu during visa applications after finding he had obtained Thai citizenship 'under questionable circumstances'.
Zhu was later found to have a prior homicide case.
During the probe, the Department of Provincial Administration investigated Zhu's declared Karen family and contacted relatives in the highland community. They reportedly confirmed that the man was not related to them.
Deputy national police chief Police General Samran Nualma, said Zhu will be deported to China for legal proceedings.
He said: 'We have confirmed that the statute of limitations has not yet expired for his homicide case in China around 36 years ago. Thai authorities are now gathering evidence for prosecution before he is extradited to China to face legal proceedings.
‘Investigations will also be carried out against all individuals associated with him, and assets worth nearly 100 million baht will be seized.
‘At the same time, the Royal Thai Police is continuing its crackdown on nominee networks, with the operation now having entered more than 10 phases. Our aim is to recover assets and benefits for Thailand.'
Narucha Kosacivilize, director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, said officials were investigating how Zhu obtained a Thai ID card.
The arrest comes after 20 suspects were arrested in Chiang Mai over an alleged network helping migrants obtain Thai citizenship using fraudulent ID cards.
Deputy national police chief Police General Samran Nualma said around 5,000 migrants were found with fake IDs in the district between 2018 and 2022, with investigators uncovering forged documents, fake house registrations and other irregularities.
