Man nabbed over false claim

A Chinese citizen has been arrested for moving goods out of a duty-free zone without permission, abusing the tax exemption to benefit his own business, according to immigration police yesterday.

Deputy Immigration Bureau chief, Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchanart, said Chon Buri Provincial Immigration arrested the man, a 53-year-old Chinese citizen identified only as “Wang”, at an office in Ban Bung district on Wednesday.

Mr Wang was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by Pattaya Provincial Court for colluding to move goods out of a duty-free zone without permission from customs officials.

It was reported that Mr Wang, who is listed as a board member of a company based in tambon Khlong Kiew, imported a variety of goods — such as bags, scarfs, bed sheets, mobile phone cases, chairs, plastic boxes and lamps — without paying import duties by claiming the goods were to be sold in a duty-free zone.

However, the products which the company claimed were meant for the duty-free shops then disappeared, with Mr Wang unable to provide any documents relating to the imported goods. Customs officials then filed a complaint against the company, Mr Wang and all relevant individuals.

Separately, immigration police arrested a 22-year-old Taiwanese citizen, identified only as Liu, for overstaying his visa.

He was arrested in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district after being alerted by a volunteer group.

A background check from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office showed that Liu was wanted in Taiwan for fraud. He has been associated with a call centre scam gang, Pol Maj Gen Phanthana said.