Thailand has extradited alleged casino kingpin She Zhijiang to China, marking a high-profile move in regional efforts to combat transnational crime. She, a Chinese-born naturalized Cambodian citizen, was handed over in Bangkok on Wednesday after being held in a Thai prison. Both governments described the extradition as the result of close cooperation aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates operating across Southeast Asia, particularly in border regions of Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos where law enforcement remains limited.
She has been wanted by Chinese authorities since 2014 for allegedly running illegal gambling rings. Arrested in Bangkok in 2022, he has denied involvement in scam operations, according to Jirabhop Bhuridej, assistant commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police. “Chinese authorities requested the handover of this suspect, who is of the utmost importance to China. The Thai government has provided full cooperation,” Jirabhop said, noting that China has pledged intensified efforts to tackle scam centers.
The extradition follows a wave of regional crackdowns earlier this year after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised support for Thailand’s efforts to suppress cyber scams operating from neighboring countries. In February, Thai authorities repatriated several Chinese nationals involved in fraud operations in Myanmar. The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok expressed “sincere gratitude” to Thailand, with political counselor Zhao Mengtao highlighting the case as an example of high-level judicial and law enforcement cooperation between the two nations.
She’s transfer came just one day before a state visit to Beijing by Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida. Despite these efforts, criminal syndicates have proven resilient. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime warned that large-scale scam operations are adapting by relocating to remote areas or shifting to online platforms. UN reports also describe She as a businessman with investments across Southeast Asia in sectors ranging from real estate and construction to entertainment and blockchain technology.
