Phuketwan Update Immigration police have revealed that Mr Pollmeier is wanted for 10 fraud cases in Germany involving more than 40 million baht. Mr Pollmeier and others sold solar cells that failed to function, the police said.


PHUKET police are holding a German man who has been accused of entering Thailand illegally. It is believed more significant charges in Germany are pending against the man.

A statement is expected to be released by the Immigration Office in Bangkok, explaining the international implications of the man's arrest. Phuketwan has been told that the man left Germany by sea and arrived on Phuket by sea.

He has been named by Chalong police as Michael Pollmeier, 46. Police in Frankfurt are understood to have requested his detention in a letter to Thai police dated April 23.

The wanted man was arrested when police went to Fisherman Way Villas in Chalong about 10am on Sunday. Mr Pollmeier had been in Thailand for more than a year, police believe, often leaving the country and returning by sea. At one stage, he arrived on Phuket by air.

Mr Pollmeier was taken to court in Phuket City this morning for a preliminary hearing. Police will escort him to Bangkok later today.

A spokesperson at the German Embassy in Bangkok said today that the international investigation was in its initial stages and referred a Phuketwan reporter to the Phuket Immigration Office for further information.