Three Indian Youths Lured to Thailand on Holiday Trip, Held for Ransom; Five Arrested
Three Indian nationals in their early 20s were allegedly lured to Pattaya, Thailand, through a low-cost seven-day holiday package, then held captive and tortured for five days while ransom demands were made to their families in India. They were rescued by Thai police on Monday.
The five suspects, all Indian nationals, were arrested the following day from a hotel in Bangkok's Khlong Tan area as they prepared to flee the country, according to local media reports citing police. The suspects were identified as Avtar Singh (38), Jagjit Singh (38), Rambalak Kumar (24), Sukhbir Singh (37), and Kulra Singh (27).
The victims, whose identities have not been disclosed, were reportedly tortured during their captivity. Thai police acted on a tip-off and rescued them from a location in Pattaya. The suspects were tracked down after they moved to Bangkok and were arrested while waiting to board an outbound flight, the Bangkok Post reported.
The incident highlights the risks of falling for fraudulent travel packages and the involvement of cross-border criminal networks. Authorities in both India and Thailand are investigating the case further. The rescued youths are receiving medical and psychological support.
