The Udonthani Police Chief confirmed plans to take legal action against “Volunteer Bas,” a young volunteer who dressed in police uniform, violating the Police Act. He stressed that volunteers have always been instructed to assist society, not seek personal gain. Meanwhile, social media has uncovered numerous misdeeds. Real police officers seem absent while Volunteer Bas, holding the position of case officer 20, personally inspects donation boxes and collects funds. He has even used an official ADV vehicle for personal purposes.
A Facebook page named "Phrachan Lay Kratai V7" posted that in Samphrao area, Udonthani, a man dressed like a police officer claimed to be police and forced several female students, who were too ashamed to report, into sexual assault. The page shared images of three men in police uniforms taking selfies, questioning why a volunteer dressed like this is allowed to guard a market, noting only one real officer is in the photo. They criticized the volunteers for tarnishing the police organization by impersonating officers, carrying guns, misusing official vehicles, and engaging in various misconduct. The post included a photo of five men dressed in police uniforms asking how many real officers are among them.
One image showed a man dressed like a police officer inspecting donation boxes with the caption: “No idea where the real police have gone. Volunteer Bas, case officer 20, inspects donation boxes himself and diligently collects the funds. With this dedication, we might as well replace real officers with volunteers.”
Another image showed a man in a sweatshirt sitting on a sofa, playing on his phone, with text: “Buddy Volunteer Bas guards the market with me. The market owner pays 6,000 baht monthly for us to facilitate market activities—3,000 baht goes to a real officer, and the rest is split between me and Bas. Besides guarding the market, we earn income by catching illegally parked vehicles without issuing tickets because we don’t have ticket books. Cash is easier, more convenient.” Also included was: “Does anyone have a Volunteer Bas sticker? I want to put it on my car because it supposedly prevents being stopped by volunteers since it counts as paying a bribe.”
Regarding this matter, at 11:00 AM on 29 Oct 2026, Pol.Col. Phatthanawong Janphon, Udonthani Police Chief, stated he first thanked the "Phrachan Lay Kratai" page for providing information. Upon receipt, he forwarded it to the deputy chief of suppression and the investigative police team to verify the details.
Initially, it was confirmed that this person is not a police officer but a volunteer assisting the police. It is unclear whether he was officially appointed as a volunteer in 2024 or 2025.
His duties include patrols for crime prevention or possibly supervising events and celebrations. Social media images show a former deputy inspector who has since become an inspector and has worked with him.
The social media images include both past and present photos, confirming the person depicted is not a police officer but a volunteer. Wearing full police uniform is illegal under the Police Act. The deputy chief of investigation and suppression will forward the case to the investigative unit for legal action.
Volunteer police uniforms come only in black and navy blue; they do not resemble the police special operations unit uniform. The photos clearly show rank insignia and badges, indicating clear intent. He has no right to wear such a uniform, but by doing so, he misleads the public into believing he is a real officer, causing harm. Legal action is necessary.
"We have consistently instructed police volunteers to serve society only, not to seek personal gain. Checking donation boxes or visiting gold shops is meant to support the police. Each subdistrict has police officers, or in Udonthani municipality, designated areas where one officer covers a wide area, so volunteers assist patrols. We have supervisory measures to ensure no breaches of rules or laws occur. If anyone witnesses illegal acts not related to community service or misconduct, please report immediately to Udonthani police," the chief emphasized.
Additional reporting indicates that despite allegations that Volunteer Bas impersonated police and sexually assaulted several female students who were too ashamed to report, no victims have come forward to file complaints or press charges against the volunteer police so far.