KOH SAMUI — Immigration and crime suppression officers in Surat Thani arrested two British nationals in separate operations on Saturday, both facing serious criminal charges in the United Kingdom.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Songhprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Region 6, led the arrest of 38-year-old Kieren Thornton at a pier in Moo 4, Bo Phut Subdistrict. Thornton was wanted under a Thai Criminal Court warrant issued on May 19, 2025, for charges related to armed robbery. He is classified as a transnational criminal and has since been handed over to the Foreign Affairs Office of the Attorney General for extradition proceedings.
In a separate case, immigration officers detained 37-year-old Ben Ashton, who had entered Thailand on a tourist visa but was living in Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach area while posing as a prominent businessman. Coordination with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that Ashton had previously been convicted of fraud and sentenced to prison in the UK before fleeing to Thailand.
Authorities determined that Ashton had violated immigration laws by concealing his criminal background and engaging in business activities illegally. His visa was revoked, and he is now classified as a prohibited person. Thai officials have confirmed he will be extradited to the UK to serve his sentence.
Further investigation suggests Ashton’s business ventures were operated through nominee companies under family members’ names—an act prohibited under Thai law. Immigration officers secured warrants from the Koh Samui Provincial Court to search seven companies linked to his network. Legal proceedings will follow if any violations are confirmed.
