Thai police arrested five Indian nationals in Bangkok for allegedly kidnapping three fellow Indians who were lured to Thailand with the promise of a low-cost holiday package. Investigators said the victims were held captive for a week and allegedly tortured while the kidnappers demanded a combined ransom of ₹70 lakh from their families. Police alleged that the operation was directed by a Pakistani national based in Dubai, who coordinated the plan remotely and intended to receive the ransom through digital money transfers. The five suspects were identified as Avtar Singh, Jagjit Singh, Rambalak Kumar, Sukhbir Singh and Kulra Singh.
According to investigators, the three victims, aged between 23 and 26, each paid about 70,000 baht for a seven-day tour package and arrived in Thailand on July 21. After reaching Pattaya, they were allegedly taken individually from a meeting point to a house in Bang Lamung district, where they were held captive. Police said the victims were confined inside two bedrooms with their hands, legs and mouths tied. They alleged they were beaten daily, denied food and toilet access, and forced to call their families in India to demand the ransom.
Police rescued the three victims after their relatives in India sought assistance from Thai authorities. Investigators said the gang used a phone number registered in Dubai while coordinating the operation and later traced the suspects to the property where the victims were being held. Although the kidnappers fled the location on motorcycles before officers arrived, the investigation led police to a hotel in Bangkok's Khlong Tan area, where the five Indian suspects were arrested while allegedly attempting to leave Thailand. Police said the victims told investigators they had been held captive by a group of four Pakistanis and one Indian man.