THAILAND – The Police Complaint Review Board said it had opened disciplinary proceedings on 22 October against former national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol and more than 200 other officers after finding sufficient evidence they accepted bribes from online gambling syndicates.
Investigation and findings
The case began in March 2025 when lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd filed a formal complaint. A seven-month inquiry by the Police Complaint Review Board collected documents from multiple government agencies and reviewed activity spanning several years. On 22 October the board concluded the material was substantial enough to justify disciplinary action.
The board said the weight of the evidence left it no practical option but to open formal proceedings against the senior officer and the large group of subordinates identified in the probe.
Next steps in the disciplinary process
Those named in the proceedings will be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations. The review board will consider their statements before deciding on the severity of any disciplinary sanctions.
After the board completes its internal process, the file will be forwarded to the Royal Thai Police for further handling. The board noted the Royal Thai Police would not reopen the investigation unless new evidence or significant rebuttal material emerged that could materially change the case.
Commitment to fairness
The Police Complaint Review Board emphasised its duty to ensure a fair process. “We will ensure that every accused has a fair chance to defend themselves,” an official from the board said, signalling that the hearings will allow for formal responses from the officers under scrutiny.
Implications for the force
Observers described the affair as unprecedented in recent Thai history given the number of officers involved. The scandal represents a serious reputational blow to the Royal Thai Police and has intensified scrutiny of alleged links between law enforcement and illegal online gambling networks.
The case also revived attention to comments made at the time of Torsak’s appointment: in July 2024, the then-prime minister had stated that no laws were broken in that decision. Now, with disciplinary measures under way, the leadership and oversight of the police force face renewed examination.
The review board’s findings and the next stages of the process will be watched closely at home and abroad, as questions about accountability and the best ways to tackle corruption within security institutions are debated.