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Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has showcased ten significant criminal cases from 2025, many involving serious damage to lives, property, and public confidence. The bureau revealed that it handled 29,413 cases throughout the year, averaging over 80 arrests daily. Among the top cases were probes into monastic scandals, financial scams, and organised crime networks.

The "Naree Phikhat Phra" operation uncovered financial crimes within religious circles, leading to the arrest of Wilawan, alias "Sika Golf", linked to online gambling and money laundering. Investigators tracked 385 million baht through online gambling networks. Another case involving the former abbot of Wat Rai Khing revealed potential embezzlement of temple funds totalling hundreds of millions, linked to a gambling-related individual.

The "Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu" case exposed the misuse of over 300 million baht in donations, resulting in the arrest of a former abbot and "Mor B", also known as Seksan. Assets retrieved included land and vehicles valued over 10 billion baht. Additionally, the "Cut Down Scam" dismantled a network trading 9 million people's data for call centre scams, causing losses over 290 million baht.

The Technology Crime Suppression Division tackled the "9.9 Fake Company" scam involving fake stock-trading schemes led by 15 suspects. The group deceived victims by posing as trusted investment figures. Parallelly, the "Operation Crypto Phantom" targeted illegal USDT exchanges worth over 14 billion baht, leading to five arrests.

VAT fraud was also addressed in the "Anti Tax Fraud Operation" with losses over 2.1 billion baht across multiple phases of arrests. Another case, "Switch-Off Discord Monarch", targeted online exploitation involving minors via a Discord server. The crackdown on transnational scams led to 29 arrests and the seizure of assets worth approximately 10 billion baht.

Operations against organised crime in the south resulted in the “Take Down Mafia” efforts, tackling drug rings and illegal gambling with asset seizures. Additionally, the investigation into the Highway Police "laundering" network exposed a vehicle theft and reselling ring.

The CIB maintains that these cases represent just a fraction of their efforts, with continued leadership under Police Lieutenant General Natthasak Chaowanasai in 2026, committed to professionalism and public service, reported The Nation.

Key Takeaways

• CIB handled over 29,000 cases in 2025, tackling significant crimes.

• Major cases involved religious figures, financial scams, and organised crime.

• CIB aims to continue robust enforcement and public service in 2026.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-12-31

 

 

 

UPDATE

CIB Reviews 10 Major Crime Cases Handled in 2025

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has released a year-end review highlighting 10 major criminal cases handled in 2025, covering misconduct in the Buddhist clergy, large-scale fraud, cybercrime, transnational scams, tax evasion, human trafficking, organised crime and vehicle laundering. The bureau said the cases demonstrate the scale and impact of modern crime, with damage to lives, property and public trust.

According to the CIB, officers nationwide handled a total of 29,413 cases during 2025, averaging more than 80 arrests per day. The review was published on 31 December 2025 and outlines operations led by specialist divisions under the Central Investigation Bureau.

The CIB said the cases reflect a policy direction from the government and the Royal Thai Police to act decisively against crime, regardless of the status or influence of those involved. Officials emphasised that investigations were conducted under principles of professionalism, neutrality and public accountability.

Case 1: “Nari Phikhat Phra” operation involving Silika Golf

The first case involved alleged misconduct in the Buddhist clergy, led by the Anti-Corruption Division (PACC) of the CIB in cooperation with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission and other agencies. Police arrested Ms Wilawan, also known as “Silika Golf”, at her home in Nonthaburi on charges including supporting misconduct by officials, receiving stolen property, and money laundering.

Investigators said she had sexual relationships with at least nine monks and used images and video clips to extort or blackmail them. Financial investigations found approximately 385 million baht circulating through her bank accounts over three years, with links to online gambling networks.

The investigation began after allegations on 18 June 2025 that she extorted money from the former abbot of Wat Tritossathep. Police later found financial links between her and monks at several prominent temples, leading to searches that uncovered additional evidence prepared for blackmail.

Case 2: Embezzlement at Wat Rai Khing

Closely linked to the first case was the arrest of Thit Yaem, former abbot of Wat Rai Khing, for allegedly embezzling hundreds of millions of baht from temple funds. Investigators found transfers to accounts held by Ms Aranyawan, also known as Silika Ken, who was linked to an online gambling network.

The Crime Suppression Division and the Anti-Corruption Division deployed an undercover officer to live at the temple for eight months to gather evidence. Police identified 51 related bank accounts, including 21 belonging to the former abbot and 12 to Silika Ken, with her accounts showing transactions totalling 2 billion baht.

Authorities said they obtained images, audio and private video clips confirming a close relationship, which may have been used for blackmail over an extended period.

Case 3: Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu donation fraud

Police arrested Mr Alongkot, former abbot of Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu and Mr Seksan, known as “Mor B, the spiritual medium”, for alleged embezzlement of donated funds. The case followed complaints that donations collected via the Facebook page “Ngom Ngai Style Mor B” were not fully transferred to the temple.

Investigators said that between 2019 and 2025, more than 300 million baht was donated by the public. Evidence showed funds were diverted to personal use rather than entering the temple’s official system.

In November 2025, CIB launched “Operation Endgame”, recovering assets including more than 7,200 rai of land and 60 vehicles, with a total estimated value exceeding 10 billion baht.

Case 4: Cut Down Scam data trafficking network

The Crime Suppression Division dismantled a network selling personal data of Thai citizens, believed to be a key supply source for scam operations. The operation was conducted with the Personal Data Protection Committee and the Anti-Online Scam Centre.

Police arrested six suspects and seized databases containing more than 9 million personal records. Authorities said over 4,000 victims had already been defrauded, with losses exceeding 290 million baht.

Case 5: “9.9 Fake Company” investment fraud

The Technology Crime Suppression Division raided a Chinese-linked “shell company” network involved in fake stock investment schemes. Fifteen suspects were arrested, including 14 Thai nationals and one Chinese national.

Victims were lured through fake websites and LINE groups impersonating well-known Thai investors, then encouraged to invest via a fraudulent trading platform. Police seized assets worth approximately 21 million baht.

Case 6: Operation Crypto Phantom

The Economic Crime Suppression Division uncovered illegal cryptocurrency exchange operations in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Phuket. Police said the network facilitated off-system USDT exchanges, with over 1,000 transactions and a total value exceeding 425 million USDT, or more than 14 billion baht.

Five suspects were placed under legal proceedings after raids at eight locations. Authorities warned that such “hand-to-hand” crypto exchanges pose serious risks and enable money laundering linked to organised crime.

Case 7: Anti Tax Fraud Operation

In cooperation with the Revenue Department, the CIB dismantled a value-added tax fraud network in two phases. The investigation focused on companies issuing false tax invoices and fabricating export records.

Across both phases, 19 suspects were arrested and authorities estimated total losses to the state at more than 2.1 billion baht. Raids were conducted across multiple provinces including Tak, Chiang Mai, Lampang and Bangkok.

Case 8: Switch-Off Discord Monarch

The Anti-Human Trafficking Division shut down a Discord server named “Monarch V2” that livestreamed sexually explicit content involving minors. Police arrested seven administrators and four livestream operators.

The server reportedly had 117,872 followers and used deceptive schemes to extract money from viewers. Officers also rescued a 17-year-old victim who had been exploited under a revenue-sharing arrangement.

Case 9: Transnational scam network crackdown

The Crime Suppression Division, together with the Royal Thai Police’s technology crime centre and the Anti-Money Laundering Office, launched a major operation against a transnational scam network. The investigation identified a Cambodian financier and business fronts used to launder proceeds.

Police raided 50 locations across 22 provinces, issued 42 arrest warrants and arrested 29 suspects. Assets worth more than 10 billion baht were seized, including luxury vehicles, yachts, land and cash.

Case 10: Vehicle laundering ring

The Highway Police dismantled a network that stole rental cars, falsified documents and re-registered vehicles to make them appear legal. Nine suspects were arrested after police uncovered a structured operation involving theft, forgery, transport, and online resale.

Authorities said the group laundered an average of four vehicles per month over the past year, with total financial circulation exceeding 40 million baht.

The CIB said these 10 cases represent only part of its work in 2025 but illustrate a sustained effort to combat crime in all forms. Police confirmed that investigations will continue into 2026 under the leadership of Lieutenant General Nattasak Chawannasai.

Amarin reported that officials said the bureau will maintain its stated ethos of professionalism, impartiality, and standing alongside the public. The CIB also reiterated its commitment to expanding intelligence-led policing and inter-agency cooperation.

Key Takeaways

• The CIB reported more than 29,000 arrests in 2025, averaging over 80 cases per day.

• Major investigations covered clergy misconduct, cybercrime, financial fraud, and transnational criminal networks.

• Authorities seized assets worth tens of billions of baht and pledged continued enforcement in 2026.

 Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2026-01-01