Pictures courtesy of Amarin

 

A 29-year-old man was re-arrested less than five minutes after leaving Lamphun Provincial Prison on 19 September. The suspect, identified as Kamolthep Lamphao, had just completed a sentence for fraud when police detained him on multiple outstanding warrants. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, together with investigators from Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai Police Station, executed the arrest at the prison gates.

 

According to authorities, Kamolthep was wanted under several warrants, with two dating back to 2023. These included a warrant from Fang Provincial Court issued on 13 November 2023 (Case No. 115/2563) for fraud and inputting false information into computer systems. Further warrants were issued by Khon Kaen Provincial Court (Case No. 582/2568, 13 June 2025), Khon Kaen District Court (Case No. 52/2568, 14 February 2025), and Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Court (Case No. 132/2563, 17 June 2023), all on similar fraud-related charges.

 

Police said the arrest was pre-planned after they received information about Kamolthep’s scheduled release. Investigators from the Division of Special Investigation and Mae Ai Police coordinated to ensure he was taken into custody without incident. He was escorted back to Mae Ai Police Station in Chiang Mai for questioning.

 

During interrogation, Kamolthep admitted to committing fraud repeatedly, with more than 20 incidents linked to his activities. His method allegedly involved creating Facebook pages to sell products to temples, then closing the pages immediately after victims transferred funds. He confessed that the money was used for online gambling and entertainment.

 

Authorities confirmed that Kamolthep has previously been imprisoned seven times since the age of 20, all for fraud-related offences. His pattern of repeat offences and multiple incarcerations has earned him notoriety, with media referring to him as a “thousand-faced thief”. Police highlighted the case as a warning to religious institutions, many of which had been targeted.

 

Police Lt Col Yoschanin Prasertsopa urged temples and other potential victims across northern and northeastern Thailand to review past transactions and report any links to the suspect. He stressed that anyone who recognises they have been defrauded should file complaints with their local police. Investigators will continue to collect evidence to pursue further legal action.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A repeat fraud offender was re-arrested minutes after release from Lamphun prison.

• The suspect, 29-year-old Kamolthep Lamphao, faces multiple fraud-related warrants.

• Police urged temples and potential victims to come forward with evidence.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-09-20

 

 

 

 

 

You know someone's been singled out for 'special punitive treatment' when they prepare new charges and wait for them to be released before proceeding with them.