The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has charged seven Aranyaprathet Police officers on all counts under the Criminal Code, the Organic Act on the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Enforced Disappearance and Torture Prevention Act in the case where Uncle Piak was forced to confess to killing Aunt Buaphan under a black hood. The court granted bail and scheduled the defendants' hearing for 17 Aug 2026 at 10:00 a.m.. The tags are [prosecution, police misconduct, forced confession, torture, court hearing, Aranyaprathet].
In the special case investigation No. 9/2024, led by the Justice Facilitation Division and overseen by the Attorney General's delegated head of the investigation office, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) jointly investigated the case of Mr. Panya Kongsankham, known as Uncle Piak. He was allegedly subjected to unlawful criminal prosecution by eight Aranyaprathet Police officers, who covered him with a black hood and lowered the air conditioning temperature to coerce a confession that he committed the murder of Aunt Buaphan, under the Torture and Enforced Disappearance Prevention Act B.E. 2565 (2022). The special investigation team resolved to prosecute the eight police officers accused of forcing or torturing Mr. Panya to confess to the murder of Mrs. Buaphan Tansoo. On 9 May 2024, all eight suspects met with the special investigation officers, acknowledged the charges, and were given the chance to present facts and evidence to prove their innocence according to legal procedures. On 14 August 2024, the investigation team submitted the case file with recommendations to prosecute all eight suspects for cruel acts under Section 6 and enforced disappearance under Section 7 to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Office Region 2 for further legal action. The tags are [special investigation, forced confession, torture, enforced disappearance, police misconduct, Aranyaprathet].
On 19 August 2025, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Office Region 2 decided not to prosecute the Aranyaprathet Police Chief and sent an inquiry letter to the DSI Director-General, who agreed with the non-prosecution decision. Therefore, the total number of suspects was reduced to seven. Finally, on 22 July 2026, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Office Region 2 scheduled charges against the suspects before the Anti-Corruption Criminal Court Region 2 in Rayong Province, as previously reported. The tags are [prosecutor decision, police chief, charges, anti-corruption, Rayong, Aranyaprathet].
Most recently, on 25 July 2026, the Department of Special Investigation reported progress on special case No. 9/2024 involving Mr. Panya Kongsankham (Uncle Piak), who was subjected to unlawful criminal prosecution by seven Aranyaprathet Police officers under the Torture and Enforced Disappearance Prevention Act B.E. 2565 (2022). The accused officers are: 1. Police Lieutenant Pomsap Phonsaen, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation; 2. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phichit Watthano, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation; 3. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nitithorn Phimkham, Superintendent of Investigation; 4. Police Lieutenant Patchara Booninratakoon, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation; 5. Police Corporal Phisek Phuangmaleepradap or Corporal Sek, Head of Investigation Unit; 6. Police Sergeant Taweesak Poonsaksamsub, Investigation Unit Leader; 7. Police Sergeant Chaisiri Surakhosit, Investigation Unit Leader. The tags are [DSI report, suspects, police officers, Aranyaprathet, torture, enforced disappearance].
They are charged with cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment offenses (Section 6) and enforced disappearance offenses (Section 7). On 22 July 2026, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Office Region 2 in Rayong Province formally filed charges against all seven suspects at the Anti-Corruption Criminal Court Region 2, case number Pat 2/2026. The charges include Criminal Code Sections 83, 91, 157, 309, 310; the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption B.E. 2561 (2018) Section 172; and the Torture and Enforced Disappearance Prevention Act B.E. 2565 (2022) Sections 3, 6, 7, 36, 37. The court granted bail for all defendants and scheduled their testimony for 17 August 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The tags are [criminal charges, court case, bail, torture, enforced disappearance, Aranyaprathet].
The Criminal Code charges under Sections 83, 91, 157, 309, and 310 involve joint criminal acts (Section 83), multiple offenses (Section 91), official misconduct (Section 157), coercion (Section 309), and unlawful detention or confinement (Section 310). Section 172 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption B.E. 2561 punishes any government official who improperly performs or omits duties or abuses authority in office to cause damage to others, with imprisonment from 1 to 10 years, fines from 20,000 to 200,000 baht, or both. The tags are [criminal code, official misconduct, coercion, unlawful detention, anti-corruption law].
The Torture and Enforced Disappearance Prevention Act B.E. 2565 Sections 3, 6, 7, 36, and 37 define key terms and offenses. Section 3 defines key terms such as torture, cruel or inhuman treatment, enforced disappearance, state officials, and victims, to guide interpretation and enforcement. Section 6 prohibits torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Section 7 prohibits enforced disappearance by state officials or those acting with state support, consent, or acquiescence. Section 36 criminalizes acts of torture by state officials or their agents, with increased penalties if serious injury or death results. Section 37 criminalizes enforced disappearance by state officials or those acting with their support or consent, with enhanced penalties if serious injury or death occurs. The tags are [torture law, enforced disappearance, legal definitions, human rights, penalties].