Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has resolved to indict six people, including a police colonel, over an alleged scheme to demand 6 million baht in exchange for securing bail for a British national detained on immigration charges. The decision follows an investigation into claims that money was solicited in return for influencing state officials to obtain the release of British national Ritesh Patel.
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According to the NACC, there are sufficient grounds to prosecute Pol Col Rames Kaewsoongnern, Witthaya Somsrisomsakul and four others for allegedly requesting payments linked to Mr Patel’s release from immigration detention. Investigators concluded the alleged payments were sought under the pretence that senior officials could arrange his bail, but Mr Patel was never released.
The case stems from Mr Patel’s arrest by Operational Unit 2 officers on June 27, 2022. He was detained at the Phuket Immigration Office after allegedly entering Thailand using another person’s travel information. Authorities said he later asked Thirawan Khieongam to present his passport, which had already been cancelled and his visa revoked.
Mr Patel was transferred the following day to the Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok. After his transfer, Ms Thirawan sought assistance from a third party in an effort to secure his release on bail.
The NACC investigation found that the third party contacted Mr Witthaya on June 29. Claiming to know Pol Col Rames and stating he could arrange Mr Patel’s release, Mr Witthaya allegedly requested an initial payment of 1 million baht, which Ms Thirawan transferred to the bank account of Apirak Thiangtham.
Investigators said Mr Witthaya later demanded an additional 5 million baht, claiming that a total of 6 million baht was required to coordinate the bail through Pol Col Rames and immigration officials. Ms Thirawan subsequently transferred the remaining funds into the accounts of Nattanaree Boonma and Thipsuda Insongjai. Despite the payments, Mr Patel at the time, remained in custody.
The anti-corruption agency said investigators later traced the money to accounts belonging to Mr Witthaya, Pol Col Rames and the officer’s wife, Booraya Kaewsoongnern. Based on the evidence gathered, the commission resolved that criminal proceedings should be pursued.
The Bangkokpost reported that the NACC said there are grounds to charge Mr Witthaya under Section 143 of the Criminal Code and the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption. The case will now proceed through the legal process as prosecutors consider the charges against those named in the investigation.
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10 July 2026
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