Chinese Red Notice suspect arrested in Pattaya as DNA probe uncovers paternity case

Thai immigration police have arrested a Chinese man wanted under an Interpol Red Notice over an online gambling case linked to transactions worth more than THB1.5 billion, with a subsequent investigation uncovering suspected irregularities involving the Thai nationality of his two-year-old daughter.

Pol Lt Gen Nopasin Poolsawat, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, announced the case on Wednesday (October 21), following the arrest of Jianlu Li, 37, at a residence in the Pattaya area of Chonburi on September 15.

Chinese authorities want Li in connection with allegations of organising or operating online gambling. Earlier police information linked the network to transactions exceeding 300 million yuan, or about THB1.5 billion.

DNA tests raise questions over child’s registered father

During the search of the residence, officers also found Yourui Wang, 33, a Chinese national who held permission to stay in Thailand on the basis that she was supporting a Thai-national child.

A two-year-old girl registered as a Thai national was also at the property.

Immigration officers questioned the circumstances after checking the child’s birth certificate, which listed a 22-year-old Thai man, identified only as Thana in the original police account, as her father.

Chonburi immigration investigators subsequently arranged DNA tests involving the child, the Thai man and Li.

Police said the results found no biological father-daughter relationship between the girl and the Thai man.

DNA testing between Li and the child, however, confirmed a biological father-daughter relationship. Current reporting on the investigation also confirms Li as the child’s biological father and Wang as her mother.

The findings prompted immigration officers to broaden the investigation into documents used for the child’s birth registration, acknowledgement of paternity and nationality status.

Police said evidence would be forwarded to the Pattaya City Registration Office for consideration under the relevant registration and nationality procedures.

Authorities are also investigating whether other people were involved in providing false information or acting as a nominal father to obtain registration or immigration benefits.

The DNA findings alone do not automatically establish that the child’s registration or acquisition of Thai nationality was unlawful, and officials must examine the relevant documents and legal circumstances before any change in status can be made.

Mother’s immigration status under investigation

Immigration authorities are separately examining Wang’s immigration status after she applied for an extension of temporary stay on the basis that she was supporting a Thai-national child.

Chonburi immigration police said they had filed a complaint with Pattaya City Police over suspected use of documents arising from an offence under Section 268 of the Criminal Code.

Investigators are continuing to examine whether false information or documents were used in connection with the child’s registration or as supporting evidence for permission to remain in Thailand.

Police are also looking into whether the case forms part of a wider network involving people paid to register themselves as fathers of children in order to obtain nationality or immigration-related benefits.