Tech CEO, ex-US Marine arrested in Thailand over plot to kidnap Taiwanese businessman

Americans Louis William Ziskin, Jeremy Hughes Manchester and a Thai man are accused of abducting businessman Wen Yu-chung from a restaurant in March

The case involves a dispute over a failed business deal in which Wen had sold Ziskin gloves for US$3 million which turned out to be substandard

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American Louis William Ziskin (centre) is escorted by police in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: AP

Published: 10:33pm, 20 May 2021Updated: 10:33pm, 20 May 2021

Police in Thailand said on Thursday they were pursuing more suspects in the kidnapping of a Taiwanese businessman in which an American entrepreneur with a criminal past and two other men have been arrested. The case involves a business dispute over the purchase of nitrile gloves – critical personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic.

Louis William Ziskin, the CEO of a Los Angeles-based tech company, and Jeremy Hughes Manchester, identified as a former US Marine, were arrested on Saturday, along with a Thai man. The five additional suspects are from the US and Israel, said police colonel Netiwit Thanasithnitikul of Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division.

Ziskin and Manchester have denied the charges, which include kidnapping, attempted murder, assault and being part of a criminal gang. Both are free on bail but must wear tracking devices at all times and not leave Thailand. Attempts to contact Ziskin by phone and email on Wednesday were unsuccessful, and it is not known if he has retained a lawyer.

Netiwit said the case resulted from a business deal gone sour between Ziskin and the company for which the Taiwanese man worked. Ziskin accused the company of cheating by selling him substandard nitrile gloves for almost US$3 million.

Netiwit said Ziskin allegedly hired a group of Americans and Israeli private detectives based in Thailand to help recover the money he paid the Taiwanese company for the gloves.

“This crime has two complicated aspects; one is a kidnap attempt and other is the medical supply deal gone bad during Covid time,” said Netiwit.

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