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Police Charge Fifth Officer in Sa Kaeo Chinese Kidnap Case

Georgealbert
· 199 views

Thai police have charged a fifth officer linked to the alleged abduction and extortion of five Chinese nationals in Sa Kaeo province, as authorities move to suspend the officers involved from service pending further investigation.

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The latest development came on 20 May after Capt Prayoon, attached to Khlong Hat Police Station in Sa Kaeo, surrendered to investigators at Wang Sombun Police Station. Officers formally charged him with unlawful detention, abuse of authority, extortion and misconduct in office.

Police said the case stemmed from a raid on 17 May at a house in Wang Mai subdistrict, Wang Sombun district, where immigration police and local investigators rescued five Chinese nationals allegedly being held against their will. Investigators said the victims had been handcuffed and attempts made to force them to pay 300,000 baht each, in exchange for their release.

According to investigators, two of the Chinese nationals transferred cryptocurrency deposits of US$2,000 each, after allegedly fearing physical harm. Police said mobile phone transfer records were recovered as evidence.

Authorities previously arrested four police officers and one civilian during the operation. The suspects were identified as Sgt Maj Paphawin, attached to the Highway Police Bureau, Sgt Maj Wutthikorn and Sgt Maj Somchai from Khlong Hat Police Station, Sgt Maj Pichet from Ban Paeng Police Station in Chanthaburi, and civilian suspect Nattanan.

Police also seized four semi-automatic handguns, 24 rounds of ammunition and two Toyota pickup trucks during the raid. All five suspects were remanded in custody by Sa Kaeo Provincial Court on 19 May.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan, deputy inspector-general and spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, said national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet had ordered firm criminal and disciplinary action against all officers involved. Authorities described the allegations as serious misconduct and a breach of police ethics.

Police had already proposed suspending the four arrested officers from duty to ensure a transparent investigation and maintain public confidence. Investigators are also examining whether the operation was linked to a wider organised network or transnational criminal activity.

Authorities added that preliminary findings suggested the five Chinese nationals had entered Thailand illegally and frequently crossed the Thai-Cambodian border. Investigators are now exploring possible links to online scam networks and other cross-border criminal groups.

Daily News reported that police stressed that all officers must operate strictly within the law and said Thailand would not be allowed to become a base or transit route for transnational criminal organisations.

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Picture courtesy of Daily News

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image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 21 May 2026

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    unblocktheplanet Diamond Member

    unblocktheplanet

    Advanced Member

    From Thai govt. Pleased to see Thailand finally accepting responsibility.

    Where is Somchai Neelapaijit???

    "It is widely known that the risks of torture and other ill-treatment committed by law enforcement officers are higher at the time of arrest, during transport to police stations, and in police custody, as well as in the context of police questioning in criminal investigations with the aim of extracting a confession or information. Between 1980 and August 2022, the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances recorded and transmitted 92 cases of alleged enforced disappearances to Thailand. Therefore, the promulgation of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, 2022, was regarded as a milestone for Thailand in combating torture and enforced disappearance, as well as ensuring human rights protection in the criminal justice process.

    "It provides a legal framework in accordance with the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), to which Thailand has been a party since 2007, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED), to which Thailand is a signatory country.

    "Once entering into force in February 2023, the law substantially changed the way of conduct by law enforcement. According to the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, there are 3 new criminal offenses: an offense of torture, an offense of committing cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and an offense of committing enforced disappearance, which fall under universal jurisdiction principles.

    "The Act also establishes legal and procedural safeguards by providing for the mandatory use of video and audio recordings throughout the arrest and detention process, considering that this is an essential measure to prevent practices that facilitate torture and enforced disappearance. While the enactment of the law alone is an important step forward, what is even more important is the effective enforcement of the law, which will require law enforcement officers to have knowledge, understanding, and the ability to act correctly."

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