The Chief of the Central Investigation Bureau announced that the Crime Suppression Division launched the “Zero Shadow” operation to hunt and eliminate shadows ahead of the 8 Feb 2026 election. The operation dismantled networks of gunmen and influential figures, conducting raids at 130 locations nationwide, arresting 92 suspects and seizing numerous firearms.
At 14:00 on 6 Feb 2026, at the press conference room on the 2nd floor of the Crime Suppression Division headquarters, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai, Chief of the Central Investigation Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Pattanasak Bubphasuwan, along with Pol. Col. Jetanipat Siriwat, Chief of Division 1; Pol. Col. Nadiwit Thanasitnitikul, Chief of Division 2; Pol. Col. Suriyasak Jirawat, Chief of Division 3; Pol. Col. Eksit Panseeta, Chief of Division 4; Pol. Col. Thanawat Hinyok-in, Chief of Division 5; Pol. Col. Anusorn Thongsaai, Acting Chief of Division 6; and Pol. Col. Phattharapon Patamwong, Chief of Support Division, jointly announced the results of the "Zero Shadow: Hunt and Eliminate Shadows" operation targeting influential figures and hired gunmen prior to the 8 Feb 2026 election.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak revealed that this operation aligns with the Royal Thai Police policy under the leadership of Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phunpet, Commissioner-General. It is well known that past elections often involve violence, including attacks on vote canvassers or candidates to eliminate rivals. With the upcoming election on 8 Feb, the Central Investigation Bureau’s Crime Suppression Division launched the “Zero Shadow: Hunt and Eliminate Shadows” operation to ensure that the people’s votes are cast transparently, not stained by blood. Over the past month, the operation has resulted in arrests, weapons seizures, and crackdowns on influential networks across the country.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Pattanasak stated that the operation included raids at 130 targets nationwide, focusing on influential persons, suspects wanted in major cases, and two major arms trafficking networks under surveillance. A total of 92 suspects were arrested, including 3 with arms trafficking warrants and 33 linked to influential figures known for violence. The operation seized firearms from 58 arms trafficking suspects, confiscating 86 guns and 8,184 rounds of ammunition, along with cash totaling 6,858,760 baht, numerous mobile phones, and bank account books.
Key results include the murder case of village head Yong (Phatthalung–Songkhla), where forces from divisions 2, 4, and 6 coordinated to track down the dispersed assassination team across regions, successfully arresting all 4 suspects in Chiang Mai and Nakhon Nayok provinces. They seized 13 firearms and 360 rounds of 5.56mm war ammunition. In the Kangaroo Mountain kidnapping and ransom case (Operation TAKEDOWN MAFIA), raids at 11 locations in Trang, Surat Thani, and Krabi provinces led to the arrest of all 5 suspects with warrants, seizing SIG SAUER and CZ 75 B pistols, long shotguns, and other key evidence. Additionally, arrests were made for 2 suspects wanted for murder under the 2025 Royal Thai Police calendar, dismantling the "It Bang Maenang" online ammunition trafficking network with 8 guns and large amounts of ammo seized, and capturing the last member of a fake police gang impersonating Crime Suppression officers to extort citizens. In total, 17 warrants related to murder and attempted murder linked to influential figures were executed.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak concluded that the “Zero Shadow” operation sends a clear warning to influential groups that there is no longer any space for unlawful acts. The large quantity of firearms and ammunition seized is a preemptive effort to prevent harm to citizens and ensure public confidence in exercising their voting rights based on the principle that “votes must not be stained with blood.”