The Rayong Provincial Police Commander has urgently ordered Pol. Col. Navin Sindhurat, Chief of Pluak Daeng Police Station, to be temporarily assigned to administrative duties, removed from his original post after the Ministry of Interior's authority led a special provincial administration task force to launch 'Operation Secret Room,' raiding four karaoke establishments amid ongoing probes into monthly extortion allegedly involving multiple agencies' oversight.
The case involves Pol. Maj. Gen. Peep Suwannachavi, Deputy Minister of Interior, leading provincial administration officials and a special enforcement unit in Rayong to conduct 'Operation Secret Room,' inspecting four KTV venues located in Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province.
This operation arose from joint investigations by the Department of Provincial Administration and Rayong authorities revealing that certain karaoke businesses operated private rooms with female staff providing customer services, selling alcoholic drinks, and charging high fees, with Chinese clientele identified as the primary target group.
"Importantly, investigators found evidence suggesting covert prostitution activities at two venues and confirmed the presence of Vietnamese women providing services on site. Preliminary license checks showed that none of the four establishments held valid permits under the 1966 Entertainment Venue Act. Determinations of violations will follow factual findings and legal criteria," as previously reported.
In the latest development on the evening of 17 Oct 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Pramote Ngampradit, Commander of Rayong Provincial Police, signed order no. 275/2569 dated 17 Oct 2026, assigning Pol. Col. Navin Sindhurat, Chief of Pluak Daeng Police Station, to assist at the Rayong Provincial Police Operations Center, suspending him from his former position to undertake special duties as directed by the center's director.
The order cites that the case has drawn widespread public and societal attention and could affect the Royal Thai Police's image. Given suspicions of misconduct and dereliction of duty by police officials, it is necessary to conduct a thorough and effective investigation to maintain order and prevent damage to government reputation.
