Police Spokesman Orders Decisive Criminal Prosecution Against Chinese Abduction Gang; Four Officers to Be Placed on Leave
Thai police ordered decisive prosecution against four officers and a civilian accused of unlawfully detaining five Chinese nationals in Sakaeo Province on May 17, with all suspects charged with conspiracy, abuse of power, and extortion.
Police Spokesman Orders Decisive Criminal Prosecution Against Chinese Abduction Gang; Four Officers Recommended for Suspension. On May 20, 2025, Deputy National Police Chief Trirat Phiwphon, acting as spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, revealed developments in the case involving the arrest of four police officers and one civilian following an immigration checkpoint operation. Multiple units assisted in rescuing five Chinese nationals from a residential house in Wang Mai Subdistrict, Wang Somboon District, Sakaeo Province on May 17. Police Chief Kittipat Panpetch ordered thorough investigation, prosecution, and strict disciplinary action against the four officers. Such conduct constitutes serious criminal violations, and the National Police Office will proceed decisively without exception. The investigation has been expanded to examine all related parties. Sakaeo Provincial Police immediately filed criminal charges against all five perpetrators, and officers have been recommended for immediate suspension from service.
For criminal proceedings, Wang Somboon Police Station charged all five perpetrators with charges including conspiracy to unlawfully detain others, abuse of official power, extortion, and corruption. The civilian was charged as an accomplice. All suspects were remanded to Sakaeo Provincial Court starting May 19. Colonel Thaworn Dulayavit, Commander of Sakaeo Provincial Police, personally supervised the investigation.
Regarding disciplinary action, the National Police Office ordered strict measures, with initial reports confirming that all four officers have been recommended for immediate suspension to ensure transparent investigation and build public confidence. Regarding one additional police officer mentioned in information, investigation and expansion of the case is ongoing, and if involvement is found, both criminal and disciplinary action will be pursued without exception.
Deputy Commander Trirat stated that such serious conduct violates the law, regulations, and police ethics entirely. Although detainees may have committed illegal acts, state officials have no right to exercise illegal authority either. The National Police Office has a clear policy to prevent and suppress all forms of crime and clear procedures to remove police who violate the law. Investigations will be accelerated to identify all involved parties, including examining whether it was organized crime or had additional support, and all units have been ordered to perform duties strictly within legal frameworks to maintain public confidence and national image.
Initial investigation found that all five foreign nationals illegally entered Thailand and frequently crossed the Thailand-Cambodia border. They are being investigated for connections to transnational crime networks or online fraud operations. The National Police Office affirms that all police units and relevant agencies implement strict security measures and facilitate services for citizens and tourists of all nationalities, confirming that Thailand is safe and will not allow the country to become a base or transit route for transnational criminal operations.
