BANGKOK — Thai immigration police arrested an Italian national who was using the country’s new five-year “Destination Thailand Visa” (DTV) to hide in Bangkok while facing drug trafficking charges in Italy, authorities announced Tuesday.
The arrest of 26-year-old Mr. Simone came after the Italian Embassy’s Police Attaché’s Office alerted Thai Immigration to the suspect’s presence. Simone was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by a court in Asti, Italy, for offenses related to drug distribution.
Italian police had investigated an operation that smuggled narcotics—including heroin, cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA), and LSD—from various foreign countries via postal parcels between September 2024 and June 2025. Italian authorities arrested two people who received the drug parcels, and subsequent investigations identified Simone as the supplier to the Italian gang for distribution to customers.
Upon realizing he was under investigation, Simone fled Italy and sought refuge in Thailand.
Thai Immigration Police arrested an Italian man wanted for drug trafficking, who was found hiding in a Bangkok condo using the new “Destination Thailand Visa” (DTV).
Thai Immigration officials confirmed that Simone entered Thailand in October 2025 using the DTV. The Destination Thailand Visa is a new multiple-entry tourist visa designed for foreign remote workers, or “Digital Nomads,” allowing stays of up to 180 days per visit and valid for five years.
Immigration police located Simone residing in a condominium in the Ekkamai neighborhood of Bangkok. After obtaining a search warrant from the Bangkok South Criminal Court, officers searched his unit but did not find any drugs or illegal items.
Simone was taken into custody at the Immigration Detention Center. Thai authorities are now coordinating with the Italian Embassy’s Police Attaché’s Office to arrange his deportation back to Italy to face charges.
Source: Khaosod English