CHIANG MAI– Immigration police arrested a 47-year-old British man, identified as Mr. James, after tracking him to a property in the Kamphaeng Din Road area of Chiang Mai.
Immigration officers said he was wanted on an active warrant tied to a theft case and immigration visa overstay violations, and they also found obscene content during the search.
The arrest was carried out by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), under the supervision of senior commanders. The team from Subdivision 4 took James into custody in the Kamphaeng Din Road area, Hai Ya Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District.
Authorities said James faced several allegations, including:
- A Chiang Mai Provincial Court warrant dated February 10, 2026, in a case involving joint theft using a vehicle, along with remaining in Thailand after his permission to stay had expired.
- Offenses related to possessing and distributing obscene materials.
- Entering and staying in Thailand without permission.
Police said the case grew from cooperation between Subdivision 4 of ATPD, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), and NGOs working under The Scientia Program. The joint work focused on monitoring a Kik user suspected of involvement with illegal sexual content involving children, with information indicating the person was living in Thailand.
After additional checks, investigators linked the suspect to James. They then confirmed he also matched the person named in the Chiang Mai court warrant and was suspected of immigration violations.
Officers later located Mr. James at a building in the Kamphaeng Din Road area. Police arrived with a Chiang Mai Provincial Court search warrant. When the door did not open at first, they called for anyone inside to come out.
A woman opened the door and confirmed that the foreign suspect police were looking for was staying there. She then led officers to a third-floor room. Police called for the occupant to identify himself, and Mr. James came out and confirmed that he lived in the room.
Police showed him the search warrant and the existing arrest warrant. They also informed him of the immigration-related allegation. Officers then detained him and seized items described as evidence, including a mobile phone that allegedly contained obscene files.
Finally, police transferred Mr. James and the seized evidence to investigators at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station for further legal proceedings.
