The heads of five major Chinese triads operating in Thailand have been blacklisted, police said on Tuesday.
Two of them have been arrested, while the other three fled the country on private jets.
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said police have placed a permanent ban on them returning to the kingdom.
The police have conducted stings which led to the arrest of many suspects, including the alleged triad leaders, for operating illegal entertainment venues and for alleged involvement in drug networks.
Pol Gen Surachate said the triads operate in five groups, one being Club One in Pattaya. The Chinese club owner was implicated in drugs and money laundering and has been arrested.
A popular nightspot, Club One Pattaya was raided in the early hours of October 22. Some drugs were found. About 200 foreign and Thai customers stampeded from the building without an arrest being made.
Pol Gen Surachate admitted the police information about the five triad leaders mirrored that divulged recently by Chuvit Kamolvisit, a former massage parlour tycoon and politician.
On Nov 2, Mr Chuvit posted on social media his insights into the five triads
The first was run by a Chinese national who converted to Thai citizenship and claimed to know senior police officers, he said.
The second was headed by a Chinese national who goes by the name "Tony". He reportedly owns a pub with a secret entrance reserved for Chinese customers.
The third group is controlled by a Chinese man identified only as "David", who operates a pub which doubles as a place for drug abuse. The man has spent many years in Thailand and speaks fluent Thai.
The fourth is headed by Yu Chang Fei, a Chinese national who opened a large pub in Pattaya. He was caught by police as he tried to flee the country at a border checkpoint in the Northeast.
The fifth is run by a pub owner by the name of Ming, who broke away from the Yu Chang Fei network and owns a pub in the Ratchadaphisek area of Bangkok, according to Mr Chuvit.
