The Commander of Pathum Thani Provincial Police ordered the immediate transfer of the Khlong Luang Police Station chief to administrative duties following an audio clip exposing extortion of liquor stores totaling hundreds of thousands of baht in exchange for permission to operate until 2 a.m. The clip references a superior, stating, "I will cut a share for the commander," leaving only 50,000 baht for the police station to divide among the junior officers.
At 11:00 a.m. on 25 July 2026, following a report aired on 24 July 2026 by the program "Open News Desk" on PPTV HD 36, a business owner of a live beer venue in Pathum Thani province filed a complaint and released an audio clip alleging that a police station chief under Pathum Thani Provincial Police demanded 51,000 baht in extortion money in exchange for permission to operate the venue beyond the legal closing time until 2 a.m.
Additionally, there was an extra demand for 100,000 baht during a concert held from 8 to 11 May 2026, purportedly to be allocated to other agencies and with references to superiors. When the business owner refused to pay, police reportedly increased pressure and interference with the business operations, resulting in a temporary closure.
Subsequently, Pathum Thani Provincial Police received a five-minute video recording of a phone conversation from Patcharorn Sukmon, a reporter at PPTV HD 36, displaying the text 'Pee Noon 57, friend of Pee S, Khlong Luang Police Station.' The voice in the recording resembles that of Police Colonel Athimes Chaisaranwich, chief of Khlong Luang Police Station.
In the latest development, Police Major General Peeraphon Chotiksethien, Commander of Pathum Thani Provincial Police, signed order number 2082569 directing the transfer of the police officer to administrative duties and appointing an acting replacement to ensure the investigation under order number 2072569 proceeds smoothly, based on the authority of Sections 68 and 105 of the 2022 National Police Act.
The order assigned Police Colonel Athimes Chaisaranwich, chief of Khlong Luang Police Station, to assist at the Pathum Thani Provincial Police Operations Center, removing him from his original post. Simultaneously, Police Colonel Wisnaruk Phrommet, Deputy Commander of Pathum Thani Provincial Police, was appointed acting chief of Khlong Luang Police Station effective immediately until further notice.
The report states that in certain parts of the audio clip, a man claiming to be the police chief says, "Here’s the deal: for four days, can the station’s quota be 100,000 baht? That averages 20,000 baht per day, plus a bit more for the province. I will balance the shares between the province and the station."
He continues, "Is 20,000 baht manageable? Is it enough to cover liquor sales roughly? Think of it like a business assessment."
"Actually, I take 20,000 baht daily because I will cut about 30,000 baht as a share for the commander, you understand? That leaves only 50,000 baht for the station. I will divide the rest among the junior officers."