A student visa scam has rocked Phuket, with police investigating alleged ties between a private international school and a Chinese criminal network.
Victims, who claim they were defrauded out of over 40 million baht, are now seeking justice after falling victim to a fraudulent visa application scheme orchestrated by a woman identified only as Patcharin.
Yesterday, June 11, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee accompanied several victims to meet with Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, the Commander of Phuket Provincial Police. The victims, representing a private company known as “Company B,” allege that they were tricked into investing in the bogus scheme, which promised student visas but delivered little progress.
Initial investigations have raised alarms about possible links between the school involved, “International School A,” and a Chinese mafia group. Complaints about this connection have already been filed at Chalong Police Station. Police are concerned that one of the school’s board members may be involved in facilitating the scam, which has tarnished Phuket’s image as a safe and reliable destination for tourists and investors.
MP Chalermpong warned of the broader implications, urging people to always contact relevant authorities directly when seeking visa or labour-related services. He also noted that “School A” is a private international school for pre-primary education, with joint Thai-Chinese ownership and a registered capital of 20 million baht.
However, despite public denials from the school, the victims allege that Patcharin was deeply involved in the school’s operations, including organising training sessions, managing visa documentation, and soliciting investments from potential backers.
The investigation has also uncovered that one of the accused may have used nominee arrangements to bypass Thai foreign ownership laws. Evidence suggests this suspect was the third director at “School A” and also founded “Company B,” which provided legal advisory services and had the authority to sign and stamp official documents, reported The Phuket News.
Maj. Gen. Sinlert, after meeting with the victims, confirmed that the case had been transferred to Chalong Police for further investigation. He emphasised that student visa applications should be submitted directly through official agencies, not intermediaries or agents.
“Brokers can make false promises to expedite the process or claim to have connections that guarantee approval,” he said. “This opens the door for scammers to exploit applicants, damaging both employers and the country’s reputation.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are determined to identify all those involved in this fraudulent operation.
The story Phuket school, Chinese mafia linked to 40 million baht scam as seen on Thaiger News.
