Transnational criminal gangs in Pattaya will face a crackdown by police, following the arrest of suspects who allegedly murdered a German businessman in the city, according to deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn.

Surachate called an emergency meeting among local police forces to discuss the arrest of suspects involved in the gruesome murder of Hans Peter Walter Mack, 62, last week.

The dismembered body of Mack was found in a freezer at a house in Pattaya on Monday night.

Surachate said after the meeting that two German nationals — Olaf Thorsten Brinkmann,52, and Petra Christl Grundgreif, 54 — had been charged with theft and murder.

The other suspect, a Pakistani man holding Thai nationality, was arrested on Wednesday in Kanchanaburi province.

Police have charged a German woman with moving Mack’s body to conceal the death. She is the tenant of the house where the freezer was kept.

Surachate said that police are investigating if there are any Thai suspects assisting the “Outlaw” criminal gang run by Mr Brinkmann.

“These transnational criminal gangs are run by foreigners who live in tambon Nong Prue in Bang Lamung district. Any expats who would like to do business in Pattaya areas must be in contact with these mafias. [Police] have been ordered to enforce a crackdown on them,” said Surachate.

Surachate said that the motive behind the murder might have been the result of a conflict between Mack and the suspects. The Outlaws motorcycle gang has a reputation for extorting money from foreign investors in Thailand.