Officers raided a "luxury pool villa" in the resort town of Pattaya, about 100 kiolmetres (60 miles) south of Bangkok, and detained one woman and 25 men from China, the police said in a statement.

Police told AFP that some suspects had overstayed tourist and student visas.

Officer seized 53 mobile phones, Chinese-language documents and 80,000 baht ($2,500) in cash believed to be involved in the operation.

Authorities charged the group with operating an unauthorised credit business and working illegally in the kingdom.