Phan Police Station patrol officers arrested a former subdistrict administrative organization member in a sedan with cash and lists of voter names. The suspect confessed to preparing to buy votes at 500 baht each during the "Return of the Howling Dogs" event, implicating a network linked to a major political party in procuring illicit funds for the operation.
On 7 February 2026, patrol officers from Phan Police Station in Chiang Rai province arrested a former subdistrict administrative organization member along with a large amount of cash and documents listing 124 eligible voters. This followed intelligence that preparations were underway to buy votes supporting a candidate for the House of Representatives in the final stretch before the election day.
The arrest occurred on 6 February 2026 after officers received a tip from local sources in Phan district that a group was compiling voter lists and assembling cash to be used for vote-buying. Authorities then closely monitored the suspects' activities.
Officers later spotted a white Mazda sedan with Bangkok license plates leaving a house in San Klang subdistrict, Phan district, driven by the former SAO member. They identified themselves and conducted a search in accordance with legal procedures.
During the search, officers found a large sum of cash and documents listing 124 eligible voters. The suspect admitted the cash was intended to be distributed to buy votes in support of a candidate from a particular political party in Chiang Rai province, with plans to carry out the distribution the following day.
The suspect further stated that a local contact had asked him to collect the money from the mentioned house. Upon arrival, he presented the prepared voter list and received cash from people inside the house, consisting of two women and three men, aged approximately 30 to 40 years old, all wearing face masks to conceal their identities.
While in custody, the suspect received a phone call from a person he identified. Authorities recorded the details for investigation purposes to help trace and expand the inquiry into the involved network.
Items seized as evidence included seven sheets of documents listing supporters of the candidate, 128 bills of 500 baht, 4 bills of 100 baht, and one mobile phone. All evidence was documented and secured for the case file.
In his testimony, the suspect implicated political networks in the area and referred to a particular political party as possibly involved in providing the illicit funds. However, authorities are still gathering evidence and have not concluded any charges against individuals or political parties at this stage.
Police Colonel Wichai Chaiinkham, chief of Phan Police Station in Chiang Rai, stated the arrest aligns with strict policies to prevent and suppress election fraud. The suspect and evidence will be handed over to investigators for prosecution, and authorities will coordinate with relevant agencies for in-depth investigations. If evidence of organized wrongdoing is found, full legal action will be taken.
Additional reports indicate that following initial questioning overnight, police charged the suspect under Section 73, Paragraph One of the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives. The suspect applied for bail late on the same night.
Chuchat Suksanguan, director of the Chiang Rai Provincial Election Commission Office, revealed that the arrest was conducted by Phan Police, with the commission informed and participating in the preliminary investigation. The commission awaits the police case file before considering further action under its authority. If wrongdoing is confirmed, legal penalties will follow.