Chinese Traveler Kidnapped at Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport

Image: PHOTO: Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand (photo courtesy of boonchai wedmakawand / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: PHOTO: Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand (photo courtesy of boonchai wedmakawand / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Monica Poling
by Monica Poling
Last updated: 7:40 PM ET, Tue May 22, 2018

A female Chinese traveler has turned up safe and sound after been abducted at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this month.

Security video footage shows the woman being taken captive by five people-four Chinese men and a Thai woman-in a secure airport area, after arriving on May 6 on a flight from Hong Kong. She was escorted through security, then reportedly joined by other captors when exiting the airport.

The woman, identified as Jincai Chen, was reportedly held for 14 days and escorted to different locations throughout Thailand, including Bangkok, Rayong and Pattaya during her captivity.

Originally the kidnappers sought 10 million baht (approximately $310,000) for the woman's release, but after her husband paid the initial ransom, they asked for an additional 5 million baht.

At that point, the husband refused to pay any more money and turned to Thai police for help. Apparently, after receiving pressure from the police, the gang released the woman on the side of a road in Bangkok.

Thai police have said the suspects have all fled the country, but police been able to identify them through the airport security footage. A warrant for their arrest has been issued, according to the Bangkok Post. Police have also said they've identified several other potential suspects, including a senior member of Thailand's immigration police.


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Monica Poling

Monica Poling

Monica Poling, the evening and weekend editor at TravelPulse.com, has been writing about travel for more than 20 years. Although she enjoys far-flung experiences, she is equally obsessed with the off-the-beaten-path destinations in her own backyard. Read about her latest travel experiences on her blog, www.travelglitter.com.

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