The Commander of Pathum Thani Provincial Police signed an order suspending eight provincial investigation officers, ranging from inspector to non-commissioned ranks, pending investigation in the high-profile 2-baht gold extortion case. They have been transferred to Thanyaburi Provincial Court. All are reportedly under severe stress and deny all charges.
At 14:30 on 31 March 2026 at Thanyaburi Police Station, following a scandal involving eight officers from the Pathum Thani Provincial Investigation Division accused of raiding a house and abducting a female victim and her husband to extort 2 baht of gold in exchange for their release, which led to a formal complaint and prosecution as previously reported.
The latest update: all eight accused officers have presented themselves to Deputy Superintendent Wichan Jantasri, Deputy Investigation Chief at Thanyaburi Police Station, to hear the charges. Pol. Maj. Gen. Peerapol Chotiksethien, Commander of Pathum Thani Provincial Police, along with Pol. Col. Harit Kamjumpon, Chief of the Provincial Investigation Division, and Pol. Col. Jarin Athithannan, Chief of Thanyaburi Police Station, personally participated in questioning the suspects.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Peerapol Chotiksethien revealed that today charges were filed against the eight officers and one civilian accomplice. The serious charges include Sections 148 and 149, covering abuse of official power through coercion or inducement to surrender property, punishable by 5 to 20 years, life imprisonment, or death; Section 157, for dereliction of duty, punishable by 1 to 10 years; and Sections 310 and 337, for unlawful detention and coercion to comply by threats, with up to 5 years imprisonment.
An order has been issued to suspend all eight officers from duty pending investigation, and they have been transferred to Thanyaburi Provincial Court. All suspects are reportedly stressed and deny all charges. Investigators will continue gathering evidence and may press additional charges if further wrongdoing is found.
The 2 baht of gold remains missing despite ongoing searches. The commander reminded all subordinates to strictly follow regulations and the law, warning against misconduct. Society is watching closely. Senior commanders are striving to improve the organization’s direction, and he emphasized instilling this awareness at every meeting.
Regarding the victim’s appearance on the "Hone Krasae" TV program claiming a mysterious car has been circling her home, Pol. Maj. Gen. Peerapol said he recently learned of this but assured during the show that the victim can contact him anytime for reassurance and security. On the issue of body cameras, officers are required by regulations to wear and activate them at all times during duty, and these recordings must be submitted as evidence in the case.