New DSIT Chief Piya Vows to Prove Worth, Avoids Politics
Pol. Lt. Col. Piya Raksakul assumed office as the new director‑general of Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation on October 15, 2026. He said he had not yet reviewed the Senate vote‑buying and Khao Kradong case files and therefore could not comment on their progress, denying any political influence and insisting his work would prove his suitability. Piya added that he would first examine the documents before deciding on any further steps, and emphasized his focus on strengthening the agency rather than direct investigative work.
Pol. Lt. Col. Piya Raksakul said his first day as DSI director‑general began after receiving the royal appointment, and he felt ready to start work immediately. He explained that the Justice Ministry’s permanent secretary had directed that special investigations be carried out according to established laws and regulations. When questioned about the Senate vote‑buying and Khao Kradong cases, Piya said he had not yet seen any of the case files and therefore could not say how the investigations would proceed or what stage they were at; he asked for permission to examine the documents first. Regarding the earlier announcement by DSI and the Election Commission that had led to charges against 77 individuals in the first Senate vote‑buying tranche, he said he needed to review the details before deciding on any further joint action. Piya rejected suggestions that his appointment was politically motivated, stating that while some people might still doubt him, the media’s role is to report within its framework and he preferred to be judged by his performance over time. He noted that, as director‑general, his role is mainly to manage and strengthen the organization, ensuring it is stable, sustainable and truly beneficial to the public, rather than to carry out every investigative task personally.
