Deputy Police Chief Chalermkiat led a press briefing on the arrest of methamphetamine trafficking suspects, seizing substantial assets, and accelerating requests for warrants against 24 more individuals. The estimated money flow and laundering amount to about 1 billion baht or more.
On 16 May 2017, Police General Chalermkiat Sriworakhan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Strategy and Planning), Police General Suwira Songmetta, Advisor at the Office of the Police Commissioner, Police Lieutenant General Sutthipong Wongpin, Commander of Region 7 Police, Police Major General Somkiat Saengsingson, Deputy Commander of Region 7 Police, Police Major General Daoloi Muandetch, Deputy Commander of Region 7 Police (Narcotics), and Mr. Thanakorn Kainan, Director of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board Region 7, presented five drug network suspects arrested. This followed an expanded investigation from the seizure of a car concealing 830,000 methamphetamine pills in Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province (see previous report).Intercepted sedan hiding 830,000 methamphetamine pills in Cha-am, with suspects claiming they were hired by a Lao agent to transport drugs southward.The suspects include: 1. Mr. Yossawat Weerachai Phaksiri, 45; 2. Mrs. Sirikarn or "Je Ming" Kulwat, 47; 3. Ms. Cholada Dokmai-ngam, 28; 4. Ms. Narisara, 24; and 5. Ms. Anyana Sriraksa, 28. Seized evidence comprises: a black BMW X1 with temporary plate L 8797 Bangkok, a white Toyota Vios plate 2กธ7946 Bangkok, a bronze-gray Toyota Fortuner plate 5 กถ 1450 Bangkok, a black Honda Civic plate 1กฎ5579 Bangkok, a single pearl necklace, 12 gold-adorned Buddhist amulets, 187 credit cards, 100 bank account passbooks from various banks, 366,000 baht cash, foreign currency including 220 U.S. dollars (approx. 7,658 baht) and 14,300 Taiwan dollars (approx. 16,433 baht), plus additional assets pending seizure. These include a safe deposit box at Bangkok Bank headquarters, Jasmine branch, containing 400 baht-weight gold valued at 8.4 million baht, gold bar reservation certificates weighing 2,370 baht worth approximately 48 million baht, and two cashier's checks each for 1,627,500 baht.
Police General Chalermkiat stated that this arrest exposes a large network. Investigations revealed connections to neighboring countries supplying drugs, including networks led by Mrs. Mon Petcharun and Mrs. Noi, both Laotian nationals, among others. Regarding the network of Mr. Samrit Yawai arrested in Phetchaburi, domestic investigations and follow-ups have led to approval of warrants for 24 suspects, with six already detained and the rest being actively pursued. Further arrests and asset seizures are expected. The network is believed to involve money laundering and turnover exceeding 1 billion baht. Authorities are currently expanding investigations and monitoring financial institutions concerning the 24 suspects with active warrants issued by the court.