The Crime Suppression Division chief ordered the Crime Suppression Division to launch an aggressive operation, issuing arrest warrants for three suspects in a local exam fraud case. Two suspects, “Dr. Win and his sister,” were arrested. They are known to be close to a prominent government faction leader. Another suspect, Sergeant Phichit, remains at large but has covertly contacted authorities to surrender. More arrest warrants are expected soon to be issued.
On 13 July 2026 at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters, reporters received updates on the corruption case involving local government officer recruitment exams under the Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior. After the department filed a complaint with investigators at Investigation Unit 2, Crime Suppression Division, to prosecute those involved, last week, Police Lieutenant General Natthasak Chaowanasai, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, ordered Police Major General Phatthanasak Bupphasuwan, Commander of the Crime Suppression Bureau, and investigators at Unit 2 to gather evidence and request arrest warrants upon discovering fraudulent exam activities. The Criminal Court approved the warrants on 10 July 2026 for three individuals, who are:
1. Mr. Win Thanaphotphokin, also known as Dr. Win, or Mr. Asawin Chotipanang, age 40, Advisor to the Director of the Promotion and Training Bureau at Kasetsart University.
2. Ms. Satporn Thanaphotphokin, age 30, sister of Mr. Win.
3. Sergeant Dr. Phichit Thongprom, also known as Sergeant Phichit, Director of Strategy and Budget Division, Wichian Buri Municipality, Phetchabun Province.
All three face three charges: operating as a criminal gang and conspiracy, under Penal Code Section 188; damaging, destroying, concealing, disposing of, or rendering useless documents or wills of others in a way likely to cause harm to others or the public; and violating the Computer Crime Act by inputting false data into computer systems.
Recent reports indicate that investigators from Unit 2 have arrested two suspects: Mr. Win, who was apprehended in coordination with police authorities in Laos. The Laotian police detained him on 11 July and are currently arranging his extradition. He is expected to be brought in for questioning at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters by the evening of 13 July.
The other suspect, Ms. Satporn, Mr. Win's sister, was arrested on 12 July at Kasetsart University’s Kamphaeng Saen Campus and is currently held at the Crime Suppression Division.
It is also reported that on 14 July, senior officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission will interrogate the two arrested suspects to gather information for their own investigation. Meanwhile, the remaining suspect, Sergeant Phichit, has reportedly attempted to contact investigators to arrange surrender.
However, investigators have found that this suspect has been actively conducting financial transactions and is expected to be arrested soon. Additionally, more arrest warrants for other suspects are anticipated within the next two to three days, following the discovery of links among the perpetrators.
Regarding Mr. Win, reports indicate that the Cabinet recently appointed him on 3 February 2026 as an expert committee member at the Civil Aviation Authority, a state enterprise under the Ministry of Transport led by Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn. According to protocol, Minister Pipat was responsible for nominating Mr. Win to the Cabinet. However, Mr. Win's photo as an expert committee member has since been removed, replaced with a notice stating the position is currently under recruitment.