The Minister of Justice revealed that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) arrested “Coach James” at Suvarnabhumi Airport after he was identified as an IB connected to the Forex case. He confirmed there is sufficient evidence to request an arrest warrant for “Phawut” and denied any political persecution, directing questions about the 833-million-baht financial trail to the investigators at DSI. Tags: [DSI, Forex case, arrest, Suvarnabhumi Airport, political persecution, financial investigation]
At 10:00 a.m. on 14 July 2026, at the Government House, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruthapon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, stated that following the Criminal Court's approval of arrest warrants for two suspects out of a total of 24, with summonses issued for the other 22, the Department of Special Investigation reported that it had arrested Mr. Theeraphong Kongkaew, known as “Coach James,” a key recruiter and IB in the Forex investment group, at Suvarnabhumi Airport. He was one of the two individuals subject to arrest warrants. The arrest occurred around 9:00 a.m. upon his return from abroad. DSI officials are currently taking him for further interrogation at the DSI headquarters and will consider whether to grant bail or proceed with detention and court remand according to legal procedures.Tags: [Minister of Justice, arrest, Theeraphong Kongkaew, Coach James, DSI, Forex investment]
When asked why the court did not approve an arrest warrant for Mr. Phawut Pongwittayaphanu, a party-list MP from the Prachachon Party, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruthapon explained that although the DSI stated there is sufficient evidence to request an arrest warrant, the court decided to issue a summons instead, which is consistent with legal procedures. He affirmed that this is not political persecution but a process based solely on evidence.Tags: [Phawut Pongwittayaphanu, arrest warrant, legal procedure, political persecution, Minister of Justice]
Asked about reports that financial investigations uncovered transactions involving Mr. Phawut totaling 833 million baht, rather than 28 million baht, the Minister of Justice said that such details should be addressed directly to the DSI investigators.Tags: [financial investigation, Phawut Pongwittayaphanu, 833 million baht, Minister of Justice, DSI]