Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwpan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, announced that one officer has been dismissed over the release of detained Chinese nationals. Investigations found that among five investigators from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, with ranks ranging from Police Lieutenant to Police Senior Lieutenant, over 30 detainees were unlawfully released without being returned to Immigration Police. The National Police Chief has ordered a nationwide review covering the past ten years to address this issue.
On 16 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwpan, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Deputy Spokesperson of the National Police Office, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Pallop Aermlah, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and Pol. Col. Prinya Klinkesorn, Deputy Commander of Immigration Police Division 3, held a press briefing on procedures concerning detainees under the National Police Office’s policy by Police Commissioner General Kittirat Phanpetch. They also explained the investigation into the case of releasing detained Chinese nationals at the Sarasinsiri Room, Building 1, National Police Office.
The National Police Office was alerted in January 2025 GMT+7 about a possible corruption scheme involving the release of detained Chinese nationals. This followed a request from the Chinese Embassy to investigate the case of Mr. Ahang (Mr. Ma Guangxu), a detained Chinese national who was released from custody without explanation. Upon this notification, the National Police ordered the Metropolitan Police Bureau to immediately verify the facts. The investigation confirmed violations, revealing that five investigators had requested detainees from Immigration Police but failed to report results or return detainees to Immigration Police. The Metropolitan Police Bureau gathered evidence and filed criminal charges against the five officers, submitting the case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission in October 2025 GMT+7 for further inquiry.
Regarding disciplinary actions, the Metropolitan Police Bureau has proceeded according to regulations and laws. The disciplinary investigation of Police Lieutenant Chaiya has concluded, recommending dismissal from service. Investigations for the other officers are ongoing, with serious disciplinary proceedings and consideration of penalties under regulations.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong stated that the National Police Chief has emphasized straightforward performance of duties and expedited a nationwide review. Both disciplinary and criminal actions are to be taken decisively to ensure transparency and public confidence. Responsibilities have been divided among five main units: 1. Audit – assigned to the National Police Inspector General to examine systemic corruption, prosecute all involved officers, and investigate connections inside and outside the organization; 2. Immigration – tasked to Immigration Police to review detainee numbers and statuses from 2018 to present, including data security measures; 3. Investigation – assigned to the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Provincial Police Regions 1-9, Central Investigation Bureau, Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and Technology Crime Suppression Division to investigate detainee transfers within their jurisdiction, ensuring facts are uncovered and offenders disciplined or prosecuted, including those behind the scenes; 4. Legal – assigned to the Legal Affairs and Criminal Case Division to review complaints and information related to detainee releases, coordinate responses, recommend stricter detainee custody measures; and 5. Support – involving personnel, technology, criminal records, disciplinary, and foreign affairs offices to review disciplinary and administrative actions, reevaluate detainee custody orders, documents related to foreigners as victims or suspects, and review criminal case processing in the CRIMES system and arrest warrants.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong explained that Chinese authorities contacted Thailand’s Immigration Police seeking information about detainees who had completed legal proceedings in Thailand but had not been extradited back to China as expected. In particular, Mr. Ma Guangxu, a wanted suspect, was not returned. This prompted the National Police to direct the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Immigration Police to investigate, revealing that detainees were being taken by local police investigators to face legal proceedings but subsequently disappeared.
The investigation found that between 2021 and 2025, 131 detainees had been taken from Immigration Police custody by investigators. Five investigators from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, holding ranks from Police Lieutenant to Police Senior Lieutenant, were found to have solicited benefits from foreign detainees. Among them, one officer was responsible for releasing over 30 detainees. That officer has been ordered dismissed today, while the other four face both criminal and serious disciplinary charges.
The misconduct of the five officers involved receiving complaints from victims of fraud or conspiracy to defraud, then gathering evidence to obtain court warrants to detain Chinese detainees held by Immigration Police, who were awaiting deportation. The Immigration Police would release the detainees upon the investigators’ request, as court warrants were in place. However, the Immigration Police issued letters stipulating that detainees must be returned after case completion, but detainees were never returned as required.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong said the investigation is ongoing into the entire network, including individuals posing as victims, groups of lawyers, brokers, and police officers. A thorough review of financial flows and all involved persons is underway. While the overall scope remains unclear, prosecutions are proceeding for each identified case.
The National Police Chief has ordered a nationwide review of detainee releases by Immigration Police over the past ten years.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong said that these schemes might be vulnerabilities or criminal strategies. All steps will be thoroughly examined, and if wrongdoing is confirmed, it will be considered fabrication of false evidence to aid detainees in avoiding extradition. However, no definitive conclusions can be drawn yet, and fairness to all parties will be ensured.