BANGKOK, THAILAND – Allegations by senior insiders of entrenched police corruption reignited debate over Thailand’s struggle to reform law enforcement and curb organised crime.
Insiders describe networks of illegal gambling and protection money
Revelations by Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn and Atchariya Ruangratanapong were described as having hit the country like a bomb, casting new light on long-suspected criminal networks. Surachate, viewed as a man from the inner circles of power, was said to know structures that outsiders never saw. He warned that problems ran deeper than the public realised, citing years of indications of protection money, illegal gambling, underground casinos and foreign gangs in which police officers of all ranks were allegedly involved.
Doubts over whether clean-up will last
The current clean-up was questioned as possibly being more show than substance, with doubts over whether investigations would truly take root. Observers asked whether the effort would once again end with noise and spectacle before quietly fading away.
“Corruption pyramid” said to involve over 200 officials
For Mana Nimitmongkol, head of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, the system was clearly corrupted from the top. He described a “corruption pyramid system” allegedly headed by politicians, ministers, senior officials and former police chiefs.
“The most shocking thing is the number of people involved: over 200 officials, including ministers, members of parliament, former police chiefs.”
said Mana Nimitmongkol, head of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand.
He recalled major scandals including the Tu Hao case, the Linjing Club, the network around Yu Xinxi that was said to have secured visas for about 7,000 Chinese nationals, and the notorious Inspector Sua, who allegedly ran a vast online gambling empire. Mana asked how such operations could have existed without powerful backers.
Alleged 100-billion-baht “scam industry”
In his view, Thailand had a “100-billion-baht scam industry” that drained citizens year after year while protecting officials. He argued that this entrenched business of fraud showed how deeply the interests of criminal groups and segments of the state had become intertwined.
Centralised police power criticised as obstacle
Structurally, the system was also described as stuck. Mana criticised an over-centralised police force in which every decision ended up in Bangkok, concentrating power and making the agency vulnerable to influence, patronage and political deals. Promotions were often said to be arranged through relationships or money rather than performance, leaving, as he put it, “good officers working under poor conditions and still being insulted.”
He argued that Thailand needed a decentralised police force, more authority at provincial level and a cultural shift. Yet those who benefited from the current arrangements were said to be resisting reform.
“We must build a broad alliance and change society’s view of the police and corruption.”
said Mana Nimitmongkol, head of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand.
“Bought” positions and off-the-books payments
Former deputy police chief Pol Gen Winai Thongsong confirmed that notorious “off-the-books payments” were a core problem. He said positions had effectively been bought and sold in the past, with those who paid expecting to recoup their investment through illegal income. Winai argued that only higher budgets, fair appointments and better pay could break this vicious circle.
According to him, such changes had long failed due to political pressure, with several prime ministers keeping their distance from budget debates.
“If we want quality, we have to invest – nothing good is cheap.”
said Pol Gen Winai Thongsong, former deputy police chief.
At the same time, he complained that influencers were cooperating with formerly corrupt officials to stir up sentiment against the police or to blackmail officers themselves. The police, he said, now intended to take a tougher stance against such actors.
Oversight and training seen as inadequate
Criminologist Pol Lt Col Krisanaphong Poothakool said the central power of the national police chief was no longer appropriate for the times. One man commanding hundreds of thousands of subordinates, he argued, created openings for political interference. He pointed to a weak oversight system, saying complaints needed to be handled more quickly, fairly and transparently.
He praised the new Police Complaints Committee, which was even investigating a former police chief, calling it an important signal to the public. At the same time, he warned that many officers received little further training, either tactical or ethical, even though value-based education was vital to building trust. Krisanaphong saw the solution in more public oversight, more training and more transparency.
Police among least trusted institutions
Businessman Kuldit Lertkittivorakul summed up public sentiment by saying the police were among the most unpopular institutions in the country, with only politicians viewed even more negatively. He linked this to the fact that citizens regularly dealt with officers, often in uncomfortable situations. Low salaries, he said, pushed many towards “petty corruption,” from drug users to drunk drivers, while higher ranks allegedly profited from gambling, lotteries and online fraud.
His demand was clear.
“Reforms must begin at the top – and politicians must not have too much power over the police.”
said Kuldit Lertkittivorakul, businessman.