Anti-Corruption Police intercepted and arrested Mr. Surachai Thonsing, head of Hua Wa Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Sri Maha Phot District, Prachinburi Province, involved in the case of the “Sia Noi” gang, a major contractor in Sri Maha Phot, who extorted small business operators for license issuance. After learning he was about to be arrested, he tried to turn himself in to fight the case. Before the arrest, villagers widely rumored that he paid 10 million baht to negotiate the case with “Big Tao.”Tags: [anti-corruption, bribery, local government, Prachinburi, license fraud]
At 10:30 a.m. on 25 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasong Chalapan, Commander of the Anti-Corruption Division, Pol. Col. Wanachai Yingyongsomsawat, Chief of Division 2, and Pol. Lt. Col. Pradit Seefong, investigator of Division 2, to lead forces to intercept and arrest Mr. Surachai Thonsing, 64, head of Hua Wa Subdistrict Administrative Organization, under an arrest warrant No. J.20/2568 dated 24 Dec 2025 issued by the Central Juvenile and Family Court Region 2. Charges include colluding as a government official to extort benefits unlawfully, misconduct, and neglect of duty while in office. He was arrested while heading to surrender at the Central Investigation Bureau to face the charges.Tags: [arrest warrant, police operation, corruption charges, local official]
The arrest of Mr. Surachai follows a plan by Division 2, Anti-Corruption Police, which on 11 Nov 2025 arrested Sergeant Major Jakrapan, 45, head of planning and construction at Hua Wa Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and Mr. Sayan, aka “Sia Noi,” 63, a major local contractor. They had jointly threatened and extorted 6.5 million baht from small business operators in exchange for issuing warehouse construction permits. The investigation has since been ongoing.Tags: [extortion, construction permits, investigation, local contractors]
Investigators uncovered critical evidence tracing the finances of the first two suspects, linking them to Mr. Surachai, who holds the authority to approve license issuance directly. This is consistent with other evidence, especially communication records between Mr. Surachai and the two suspects during negotiations and the extortion period. Authorities believe Mr. Surachai is involved or the mastermind behind the corruption. Additionally, rumors in Sri Maha Phot District suggested Mr. Surachai paid over 10 million baht to negotiate the case with Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew to avoid prosecution. Authorities quickly gathered evidence and obtained an arrest warrant yesterday.Tags: [financial evidence, communication records, bribery, investigation, local rumors]
However, upon learning of the impending case, Mr. Surachai kept a low profile at home, refraining from usual election campaigning activities. Early this morning, he hurried to the Central Investigation Bureau hoping to surrender and fight the charges first, but was intercepted and arrested by Division 2 officers before he could do so.Tags: [surrender attempt, arrest, election campaigning, investigation]
During questioning, Mr. Surachai denied any involvement or knowledge of the extortion and corruption related to license issuance by the first two suspects. Regarding rumors that he had negotiated the case with “Big Tao,” he denied ever mentioning or using that name. He believes these rumors were spread by ill-wishers aiming to damage his reputation.Tags: [denial, interrogation, rumors, reputation]
Authorities remain skeptical of his statements, as evidence strongly indicates his involvement in the corruption case. He was handed over to investigators of Division 2, Anti-Corruption Police, for legal proceedings.Tags: [investigation, legal process, corruption evidence]