Thai police arrested Wan Chuanxin, 29, in Nong Khai after seizing about 5kg of etomidate during a botched crossing linked to a Dubai triple murder. Officers caught the Chinese national on October 6 as he moved from Laos into Thailand by boat from the Mekong River, outside an official checkpoint. The etomidate was found in a bag during the arrest in the Phon Phisai district area, Nong Khai. Police said Wan is wanted by the United Arab Emirates over the alleged killings of three people in Dubai in June 2026. Thai authorities are coordinating his transfer to the UAE to face legal proceedings. Thai immigration police charged Wan with entering Thailand without permission and possessing a Category 2 psychotropic substance without authorisation. Officials also described etomidate as an ingredient used in illicit “zombie drugs”, “K-pod” vapes and “happy water”. Police said Wan had been travelling in and out of Thailand, Laos, the UAE, Cambodia and Vietnam while on the run before going into hiding in Laos. During immigration case reviews, senior Immigration Bureau officials discussed the arrest and the planned cooperation with the UAE. Wan was detained by Thai immigration authorities after the October 6 arrest and is being prepared for transfer to the UAE.