The Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation stated that the court was asked to issue an arrest warrant for Anan Asavaphokin as early as March 2026. This was a legal step after he failed to acknowledge the charges, citing medical treatment abroad.
On 30 Jun 2026, Pol. Col. Yuthana Phaerdam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, addressed the case involving an arrest warrant request for Anan Asavaphokin, one of the suspects in the Wat Phra Dhammakaya money laundering case. He explained that the case has undergone several procedures because in late 2019, the special prosecutor returned the investigation file to the DSI for reconsideration under the Special Case Investigation Act B.E. 2547 (2004) to determine if there was disagreement with the previous prosecutor's decision not to prosecute. The then-Director-General reviewed the facts from Special Case No. 10/2017 and the prosecutor's opinion and disagreed, thus requesting prosecution of the suspect. Subsequently, the case awaited the Attorney General's final decision.
Later, on 16 Feb 2024, the then-Attorney General issued a final order to prosecute the suspect for conspiracy by two or more persons to commit money laundering and for the money laundering offense itself under the Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
However, while the Attorney General was deciding to prosecute, the suspect petitioned for fairness on various issues. Once the prosecution decision was finalized, the special investigation team issued summonses for the suspect to acknowledge charges continuously. Since the suspect failed to appear before investigators, prosecution could not proceed as scheduled. Consequently, investigators compiled evidence to request the court to issue an arrest warrant, which was sought in March 2026.
It is understood that the suspect's failure to appear was due to undergoing treatment for critical kidney failure in an ICU abroad, which is understandable. However, legal procedures must be followed. When the suspect could not appear to acknowledge charges and be prosecuted as scheduled by the Attorney General, the special investigation team had to request an arrest warrant. If necessary, they may seek an Interpol Blue or Red Notice to track the suspect for extradition to Thailand, which would be the next legal step.
Reporters noted that although the court approved the arrest warrant for Anan Asavaphokin to the special investigation team, it is highly likely he will not return to Thailand due to ongoing treatment for end-stage kidney failure abroad. Treatment has been continuous since 2024, and he is still considered a patient.Critical conditionThere is a constant risk of death if he is in an unsuitable care environment.
Furthermore, a review of a media release by the DSI's Public Relations Department on 29 Nov 2019 revealed details that the DSI spokesperson reported that Anan Asavaphokin was investigated and charged with conspiracy to launder money under the Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542 (1999) in Special Case No. 10/2017. This stemmed from Anan purchasing land from a company, where investigations found that Supachai Srisuphaakson, former chairman of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, had embezzled funds from the cooperative to buy shares and control the company.
Later, Anan sold the land and donated part of the proceeds to the Maharatnobasikha Jan Khannokyoong Foundation and kept some for personal benefit, earning additional interest. Subsequently, he transferred the money back to the company. The case was recommended for prosecution and the file was sent to the prosecutor.
Subsequently, on 30 Sep 2019, the prosecutor returned the investigation file to the DSI to reconsider under the Special Case Investigation Act B.E. 2547 (2004), Section 34, whether to disagree with the previous non-prosecution decision. The DSI Director-General reviewed the facts from Special Case No. 10/2017 and the prosecutor's opinion and disagreed, believing the facts supported prosecution. Thus, the DSI objected to the prosecutor's non-prosecution decision and submitted the case for prosecution. The decision to prosecute ultimately rests with the Attorney General, which is the final legal determination. This was publicly announced for awareness.
Later, in 2024, Amnat Jatjaroenrak, then Attorney General, issued the final order to prosecute the suspect.