The Free Freedom Beach operation swept away influential figures, arresting the entire "Sia Lek Phuket" gang for seizing the Freedom Beach forest in Phuket, defrauding local residents, and posting gun threats against victims.
On 7 Nov 2026, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) under the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai, Commander of the CIB, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Suwat Saengnoom, Pol. Maj. Gen. Sophon Saraphat, Pol. Maj. Gen. Montree Thetsakun, Pol. Maj. Gen. Phatthanasak Boobpasuwan, Pol. Col. Wiracharn Khunchaikaew, Pol. Col. Phongpanot Chukaew, Pol. Col. Wichak Tarnm, Pol. Col. Pathak Khwanna, Pol. Lt. Col. Sittikiet Srichan, Pol. Lt. Col. Watit Jitchanjit, Pol. Lt. Col. Sarun Sripak, and Pol. Lt. Col. Phitaya Thanawut served as deputies and officers.
The search team was led by Pol. Col. Thanawat Hinyokhin, Commander of Division 5, Crime Suppression Division, with Pol. Lt. Col. Sinchai Thawanphiyayo, Deputy Commander of Division 5, Pol. Lt. Col. Thanisorn Huivechasat, Investigator of Division 5, and officers including Pol. Lt. Col. Nontakorn Nantanoi, Pol. Lt. Col. Siraphak Thansilp, Deputy Investigator, Pol. Lt. Col. Natthakan Srisuksai, Deputy Investigator (Interrogation), and other Division 5 officers, jointly conducting the search and arresting four suspects.
The arrests occurred in front of a house on Soi Irrawadi 7/2, Muean Chao Fa Road, Kathu Subdistrict, Kathu District, Phuket, at approximately 08:15 on 7 Nov 2026. This followed government directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasizing the protection of natural resources and the environment as national assets. The government will strictly prevent any individual or influential group from unlawfully encroaching, occupying, or exploiting national resources, especially in Phuket — a world-class tourist destination where investors and influential figures have illegally occupied forest areas. Consequently, all sectors combined forces to arrest the encroachers, prosecute them legally, and reclaim dozens of rai of forest land.
Investigations revealed that certain influential groups had encroached upon the Nakkerd mountain reserved forest area near Freedom Beach and fraudulently sold this land to the public.
Initial checks found multiple victims with losses exceeding 20 million baht. When victims demanded refunds, the group threatened them by posting images of firearms on social media and firing guns at night, deterring victims from reporting to authorities.
In response, the National Police Chief ordered the Central Investigation Bureau, together with the Provincial Police Region 8, trusted and capable bodies, to intervene. After gathering evidence, they obtained arrest and search warrants from the Criminal Court, arrested four suspects, and transferred them to Division 5, Crime Suppression Division, for prosecution as follows.
1. Mr. Prin, known as Sia Lek, charged with "conspiracy to defraud the public and fraudulently inputting distorted or false data, in whole or in part, into a computer system, causing probable damage to the public."
2. Mrs. Netsawan, or Kratin (Sia Lek’s wife), charged with "conspiracy to defraud the public."
3. Miss Manisawan, or Ploy (Sia Lek’s daughter), charged with "conspiracy to defraud the public."
4. Mr. Kritsana, or Max (Sia Lek’s son-in-law), charged with "conspiracy to defraud the public."
Police seized key evidence related to the case during the search. The collected evidence is sufficient to prosecute this group.
Regarding the firearms posted on social media, police have searched for and confiscated these weapons for further examination.
All four suspects initially denied the charges. They were taken to Division 5, Crime Suppression Division, to proceed with legal action.
