I wonder how much tea money is involved in this one. Why am I thinking of the movie 'Goodfellas' . . . ?
________________________
'No escape' for bent warders
November 22, 2025
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed tough action against all officials involved in awarding special privileges to Chinese inmates, after a raid at Bangkok Remand Prison uncovered prohibited items and allegations that women were being smuggled into restricted areas.
Mr Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, said such incidents should never have happened and involved a deliberate attempt to bypass prison rules. He insisted punishment would be meted out in proportion to the wrongdoing.
Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat, who oversees the Department of Corrections (DoC), will ensure regulations are strictly enforced and any officials found guilty are punished accordingly, Mr Anutin said.
The prime minister's tough stance follows the DoC's fact‑finding probe into the former chief of Bangkok Remand Prison and 14 warders, who were suddenly transferred for allegedly giving preferential treatment to a group of so‑called "grey Chinese" inmates.
An internal alert sent by Thai inmates alleged that Chinese detainees in three designated zones of the prison had long received special privileges.
This led to a surprise raid on Sunday that uncovered a range of prohibited electrical appliances, including mobile phones, lighters, portable air‑conditioning units, a refrigerator, a microwave and an empty box of condoms.
The team also found a secret room beneath the stairs and evidence showing that the Chinese inmate group had allegedly hired a top‑tier "model from China" at a cost of several million baht to have sex with certain inmates.
Prison officials reportedly facilitated this via a special access route from the warden's office on the second floor, bypassing the main security checkpoints to the secret room. On the day of the raid, authorities found crucial evidence from the inmates, the model, and traces of semen on discarded tissues in the area.
Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said on Friday the incident was "unacceptable" and threatened to undermine the justice system. He vowed a thorough investigation and that criminal and disciplinary actions taken against all officials involved. He said the case would be used "as an opportunity to overhaul the entire prison system so that incidents like this never happen again". He added that he and senior corrections officials would inspect the prison today.
A team of corrections officials led by DoC deputy chief Yutthana Nakrueangsri on Friday searched Zone 8 of Bangkok Remand Prison, which houses more than 900 inmates, following the transfer of the prison chief.
Mr Yutthana, the acting prison chief, said officials found that a carpentry workshop had been turned into a living space for Chinese inmates and could be used to hide prohibited items.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... nt-warders
________________________________________________________________
Exposed: secret passage and illicit privileges inside Bangkok Remand Prison
November 21, 2025
Probe reveals covert access route and VIP-style privileges for wealthy Chinese inmates, including a concealed room beneath a staircase used to smuggle in foreign models.
The scandal at Bangkok Remand Prison has widened after Pongsawat Neelayothin, Permanent Secretary for Justice, signed an order reassigning several officials amid an urgent fact-finding investigation.
The move follows a raid on the prison that uncovered serious misconduct and the involvement of state officers in granting undue privileges to certain Chinese inmates who wielded influence over others, prompting complaints from Thai prisoners and whistle-blower reports to the Department of Corrections.
According to information obtained by the raid team, a group of grey Chinese inmates allegedly paid large sums—reportedly in seven figures—to fly in foreign models and arrange illicit meetings inside the facility.
The inmates were escorted from Zone 3 through Gate 2 to a concealed room beneath a staircase, where the women waited. Entry for the models was facilitated through an internal passage connected to the office of the prison commander on the second floor, allowing them to bypass Gate 1 entirely.
The hidden space, believed to have been prepared as a private reception area, was largely out of sight.
During the operation, officials found key evidence confirming inappropriate activity, leading to the immediate transfer of the prison governor and 19 officers, along with the establishment of a formal inquiry committee.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40058594
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Thailand Cracks Down on So Called VIP Prison Perks Amid Growing Scandal Involving Affluent Chinese Prisoners
By Adam Judd
November 21, 2025
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed swift accountability on Friday as a shocking corruption probe rocked Bangkok Remand Prison, exposing how officials allegedly turned the facility into a luxury haven for high-profile Chinese inmates known as “grey Chinese” , shadowy figures accused of running transnational scams and money-laundering rings but also with access to large amounts of money.
The scandal, which erupted earlier this week, has ignited public outrage and calls for systemic reform in Thailand’s corrections system. Reports from Thai media outlets detail how these detainees, held on charges related to cyber fraud and organized crime, reportedly enjoyed air-conditioned cells equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, electronics, and designer goods smuggled past security.
In a particularly shocking revelation, authorities uncovered evidence of “harem-style” arrangements, where two Chinese models were allegedly flown in from abroad to provide sexual services in a hidden basement room beneath the prison’s stairs, a space dubbed a “secret chamber” by investigators. Conjugal visits are banned in the Thai prison system, as are nearly all extras like tvs, microwaves, fridges, etc. which although common in some western prison systems, are not in Thailand.
“This should never have happened,” Anutin declared during a press briefing in Bangkok, his tone a mix of frustration and resolve. “Whoever is responsible must be held accountable. We will wait for the investigation files, but whoever is guilty will not be spared.” He added that the Justice Minister, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat, had been directed to enforce prison regulations with zero tolerance, warning that any deliberate misconduct would trigger immediate legal action.
The probe traces back to November 16th, when the Department of Corrections launched a surprise raid following anonymous complaints from Thai inmates about unequal treatment. According to a timeline published by Thai media, the operation uncovered luxury items of high-end brands tucked away in cells, alongside proof of unauthorized visits. By November 18th, Permanent Secretary Pongsawat Neelayothin issued Ministry Order 233/2568, reassigning prison commander Manop Chomchuen and 14 other staffers to desk duties pending a full inquiry. The suspects have been transferred to other facilities to prevent tampering.
Grey Chinese networks have long plagued Thailand’s underworld, blending legitimate business facades with illicit operations like call-center scams that defraud victims worldwide. These syndicates, often comprising Chinese nationals who exploit lax visa rules and corrupt officials, have infiltrated tourism hotspots like Pattaya and Phuket, amassing billions in illicit gains. Anutin’s government, which took power in September after a turbulent political reshuffle, has prioritized deporting ringleaders — with over a dozen expelled to China this year alone, alongside asset seizures totaling hundreds of millions of baht and citizenship revocations.
Pressed on whether these gangs had burrowed deeper into the civil service, Anutin dismissed fears of widespread infiltration but acknowledged the breach’s severity. “There is nothing to worry about,” he assured reporters. “Authorities had already deported several ringleaders to face prosecution in their home countries, seized their assets, and revoked their citizenship where applicable.” He reiterated that the Justice Minister “will not ignore it,” signaling a broader crackdown.
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures. Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, blasted the incident on social media as a symptom of “grey money infecting prisons,” questioning how such privileges could persist under lax oversight. Activist Ajariya Ruangratanapong, head of the Victims of Crime Assistance Club, went further in a Thai media interview, labeling the model-smuggling scheme “disgusting and outrageous,” vowing to pursue charges against any complicit immigration or corrections officers.
Justice Minister Ruttaphon, speaking at a ministry press conference, announced his personal inspection of the prison on Saturday alongside a fact-finding committee led by Inspector-General Paitoon Mongkolhatti. Questioning of transferred staff is slated for Monday, with findings expected within weeks. “This erodes trust in our justice system,” he said, per media reports. “We are committed to transparency and reform.”
The scandal unfolds against a backdrop of recent prison controversies, including the high-profile jailing of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September at the same facility — a move that fueled debates over elite privileges in Thai incarceration. Anutin’s Bhumjaithai-led coalition, still consolidating after ousting Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government amid a border crisis with Cambodia, faces mounting pressure to restore public faith.
As the investigation deepens, Thai netizens and media alike are demanding not just punishments, but a purge of corruption that allows “grey” influences to thrive. For Anutin, whose administration promised anti-crime reforms, this could be a defining test.
https://thepattayanews.com/2025/11/21/t ... prisoners/
How do you like THIS corruption?
-
Gaybutton
- Posts: 24325
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
- Location: Thailand
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 1671 times
-
Gaybutton
- Posts: 24325
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
- Location: Thailand
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 1671 times
Re: How do you like THIS corruption?
I'm not even surprised by all of this. There are only two things that may come as a surprise to me. One is if anything happens to the involved prison officials beyond a slap on the wrist. The other is if it turns out that this is the only prison where such goings-on were taking place.
______________________________________________________
20 Bangkok prison officials linked to Chinese VIP inmate scandal
Department of Special Investigation put in charge of case involving prostitution and other favours
November 22, 2025
About 20 officials are facing investigation for arranging special privileges — including prostitutes — for Chinese inmates at the Bangkok Remand Prison, according to the head of the Department of Corrections.
Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinin made the announcement following an inspection visit on Saturday to the prison in Chatuchak district with Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would be put in charge of the case, said the minister, who was joined by Pol Maj Gen Yutthana Praedam, the DSI director-general, and his deputy Pol Lt Col Anurak Rojnirankit.
Pol Lt Col Prawut said he had received information about misconduct by prison staff a month after his appointment as the corrections chief on Oct 1 and reported it to his seniors.
After nearly three weeks of gathering evidence, it was confirmed that about 20 officials, both senior and junior, were complicit in violating regulations, he said.
Among other findings, investigators discovered evidence of Chinese women entering the prison, ostensibly to provide sexual services.
A raid conducted on Nov 16 found two women in their early twenties in the prison. One was alone with a Chinese inmate in a secret room and the other was waiting upstairs.
It took authorities a while to get into the room as it was secured by two locked doors. The women were found dressed up and both denied engaging in sex work when questioned, Pol Lt Col Prawut said.
However, authorities found condoms, lingerie, stained tissues, traces of fluids on a sofa, tobacco and alcohol.
Forensic officers will examine the scene on Monday, Pol Lt Col Prawut said, adding that the individuals potentially involved had been relocated away from the area.
He said Thai police had no authority to detain the two women since the facts were not clear yet. They have already returned to China, and Thai authorities would coordinate with their Chinese counterparts to blacklist them if they are found to have been involved in criminal activity.
Pol Lt Col Prawut said CCTV video examined during the investigation indicated that Chinese women had been entering the prison every Sunday. Some recordings had been deleted, he added.
The raid last Sunday also uncovered mobile phones, lighters, portable air‑conditioning units, a refrigerator and a microwave oven.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday vowed tough action against any and all officials involved in awarding special privileges to Chinese inmates.
The Department of Corrections has transferred several Chinese inmates from the prison to a more suitable facility. More than 10 others remain on their original ward, but if further misconduct is uncovered, additional transfers would be made, Pol Lt Col Prawut said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... te-scandal
______________________________________________________
20 Bangkok prison officials linked to Chinese VIP inmate scandal
Department of Special Investigation put in charge of case involving prostitution and other favours
November 22, 2025
About 20 officials are facing investigation for arranging special privileges — including prostitutes — for Chinese inmates at the Bangkok Remand Prison, according to the head of the Department of Corrections.
Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinin made the announcement following an inspection visit on Saturday to the prison in Chatuchak district with Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would be put in charge of the case, said the minister, who was joined by Pol Maj Gen Yutthana Praedam, the DSI director-general, and his deputy Pol Lt Col Anurak Rojnirankit.
Pol Lt Col Prawut said he had received information about misconduct by prison staff a month after his appointment as the corrections chief on Oct 1 and reported it to his seniors.
After nearly three weeks of gathering evidence, it was confirmed that about 20 officials, both senior and junior, were complicit in violating regulations, he said.
Among other findings, investigators discovered evidence of Chinese women entering the prison, ostensibly to provide sexual services.
A raid conducted on Nov 16 found two women in their early twenties in the prison. One was alone with a Chinese inmate in a secret room and the other was waiting upstairs.
It took authorities a while to get into the room as it was secured by two locked doors. The women were found dressed up and both denied engaging in sex work when questioned, Pol Lt Col Prawut said.
However, authorities found condoms, lingerie, stained tissues, traces of fluids on a sofa, tobacco and alcohol.
Forensic officers will examine the scene on Monday, Pol Lt Col Prawut said, adding that the individuals potentially involved had been relocated away from the area.
He said Thai police had no authority to detain the two women since the facts were not clear yet. They have already returned to China, and Thai authorities would coordinate with their Chinese counterparts to blacklist them if they are found to have been involved in criminal activity.
Pol Lt Col Prawut said CCTV video examined during the investigation indicated that Chinese women had been entering the prison every Sunday. Some recordings had been deleted, he added.
The raid last Sunday also uncovered mobile phones, lighters, portable air‑conditioning units, a refrigerator and a microwave oven.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday vowed tough action against any and all officials involved in awarding special privileges to Chinese inmates.
The Department of Corrections has transferred several Chinese inmates from the prison to a more suitable facility. More than 10 others remain on their original ward, but if further misconduct is uncovered, additional transfers would be made, Pol Lt Col Prawut said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... te-scandal
Re: How do you like THIS corruption?
Where they're transferred to presumably depends on the sum paid.Bangkok Post wrote: ↑Sat Nov 22, 2025 5:50 pmThe Department of Corrections has transferred several Chinese inmates from the prison to a more suitable facility. More than 10 others remain on their original ward, but if further misconduct is uncovered, additional transfers would be made, Pol Lt Col Prawut said.
-
Gaybutton
- Posts: 24325
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
- Location: Thailand
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 1671 times
-
Gaybutton
- Posts: 24325
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
- Location: Thailand
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 1671 times
Re: How do you like THIS corruption?
They keep talking as if this has been happening at only this one prison. According to Google, there are 143 prisons in Thailand. I wonder if the possibility of anything similar going on at other prisons is being investigated.
______________________________________________________________
Thailand’s DSI probes three key angles in Bangkok Special Prison scandal
By Pattaya Mail
November 24, 2025
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is fast-tracking inquiries into three main aspects of the scandal at Bangkok’s Special Prison. DSI Director Pol. Col. Yuthana Praedam acknowledged that there is currently no information regarding “Boss Kant D’Icon” but said the agency will continue to expand the investigation.
The three main investigative points include:
1. Establishing the full facts of what happened, where, how, and who was involved, supported by concrete evidence.
2. Identifying prison staff who may have facilitated or assisted in wrongdoing, and pursuing any influential figures who might be involved behind the scenes.
3. Investigating foreign inmate networks who purchased services, their connection to cross-border crimes, and tracing the flow of assets used in illegal activities.
Regarding “Boss Kant D’Icon,” Pol. Col. Yuthana noted that the DSI only received the case for special investigation recently and has no further information at this time.
Separately, a fact-finding committee appointed by the Justice Minister is investigating the possession of prohibited or unauthorized items in the prison under Sections 72 and 73 of the Thai Corrections Act B.E. 2560. Following the scandal, the Department of Corrections instructed Deputy Director Yuthana Nakruangsri, also the agency spokesperson, to reorganize the prison internally. All prohibited items—including knives, cigarettes, electrical appliances, mobile phones, refrigerators, microwaves, and portable air conditioners—have been confiscated with additional personnel brought in from other prisons, not relying on staff from Bangkok Special Prison.
The committee has also coordinated with Immigration Police to review international travel by former Bangkok Special Prison Director Manop Chomchuen as part of the ongoing investigation.
https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnew ... dal-527227
______________________________________________________________
Thailand’s DSI probes three key angles in Bangkok Special Prison scandal
By Pattaya Mail
November 24, 2025
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is fast-tracking inquiries into three main aspects of the scandal at Bangkok’s Special Prison. DSI Director Pol. Col. Yuthana Praedam acknowledged that there is currently no information regarding “Boss Kant D’Icon” but said the agency will continue to expand the investigation.
The three main investigative points include:
1. Establishing the full facts of what happened, where, how, and who was involved, supported by concrete evidence.
2. Identifying prison staff who may have facilitated or assisted in wrongdoing, and pursuing any influential figures who might be involved behind the scenes.
3. Investigating foreign inmate networks who purchased services, their connection to cross-border crimes, and tracing the flow of assets used in illegal activities.
Regarding “Boss Kant D’Icon,” Pol. Col. Yuthana noted that the DSI only received the case for special investigation recently and has no further information at this time.
Separately, a fact-finding committee appointed by the Justice Minister is investigating the possession of prohibited or unauthorized items in the prison under Sections 72 and 73 of the Thai Corrections Act B.E. 2560. Following the scandal, the Department of Corrections instructed Deputy Director Yuthana Nakruangsri, also the agency spokesperson, to reorganize the prison internally. All prohibited items—including knives, cigarettes, electrical appliances, mobile phones, refrigerators, microwaves, and portable air conditioners—have been confiscated with additional personnel brought in from other prisons, not relying on staff from Bangkok Special Prison.
The committee has also coordinated with Immigration Police to review international travel by former Bangkok Special Prison Director Manop Chomchuen as part of the ongoing investigation.
https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnew ... dal-527227
Re: How do you like THIS corruption?
Will the DSI be looking to stop this corruption or grab a slice of the pie?
-
Gaybutton
- Posts: 24325
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
- Location: Thailand
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 1671 times
Re: How do you like THIS corruption?
Financial probe sought into former remand prison chief
by Wassayos Ngamkham
November 25, 2025
A political activist on Monday petitioned the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) to investigate the assets and finances of a former Bangkok Remand Prison chief and several corrections officers implicated in a scandal involving Chinese inmates allegedly receiving illicit VIP privileges.
Sonthiya Sawasdee filed the petition seeking a probe into Manop Chomchuen, former chief warden of Bangkok Remand Prison, and the seizure of any assets linked to the alleged misconduct.
According to Mr Sonthiya, Mr Manop reportedly demanded payments ranging from 3–15 million baht from Chinese inmates, with the money allegedly transferred overseas to avoid detection through domestic banking systems.
He said the suspected wrongdoing could violate multiple sections of the Anti-Money Laundering Act and might also involve members of the former chief warden's family.
The petition was formally accepted by Sutthisak Sumon, director of Amlo's legal division, who said the agency would determine whether the allegations fall under its jurisdiction before initiating a financial investigation or imposing asset freezes.
The call for scrutiny comes as the Department of Corrections (DoC) signalled possible disciplinary action against 20 corrections officers transferred pending an internal probe into the scandal, which allegedly included facilitating the entry of women into the prison for the Chinese inmates.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon Naowarat on Monday ordered the suspension of two senior officials at the prison.
Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon said the initial investigation has produced clear evidence implicating prison staff in facilitating privileges for inmates. As a result, the prison chief and his secretary have been suspended pending further inquiry.
Yutthana Nakrueangsri, acting chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, said preliminary findings are expected on Tuesday or Wednesday, and the transferred officers could face suspension or temporary dismissal depending on the results of the investigation.
On Monday, a joint team from the DoC fact-finding panel, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Central Institute of Forensic Science collected evidence from a concealed room inside the prison that is at the centre of the controversy.
Pol Lt Col Anurak Rojananirankij, the DSI deputy chief, said investigators are interviewing officers responsible for inmate records, visitation procedures, and financial transactions.
The DSI has also asked immigration authorities to verify the travel history of Mr Manop.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ison-chief
by Wassayos Ngamkham
November 25, 2025
A political activist on Monday petitioned the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) to investigate the assets and finances of a former Bangkok Remand Prison chief and several corrections officers implicated in a scandal involving Chinese inmates allegedly receiving illicit VIP privileges.
Sonthiya Sawasdee filed the petition seeking a probe into Manop Chomchuen, former chief warden of Bangkok Remand Prison, and the seizure of any assets linked to the alleged misconduct.
According to Mr Sonthiya, Mr Manop reportedly demanded payments ranging from 3–15 million baht from Chinese inmates, with the money allegedly transferred overseas to avoid detection through domestic banking systems.
He said the suspected wrongdoing could violate multiple sections of the Anti-Money Laundering Act and might also involve members of the former chief warden's family.
The petition was formally accepted by Sutthisak Sumon, director of Amlo's legal division, who said the agency would determine whether the allegations fall under its jurisdiction before initiating a financial investigation or imposing asset freezes.
The call for scrutiny comes as the Department of Corrections (DoC) signalled possible disciplinary action against 20 corrections officers transferred pending an internal probe into the scandal, which allegedly included facilitating the entry of women into the prison for the Chinese inmates.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon Naowarat on Monday ordered the suspension of two senior officials at the prison.
Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon said the initial investigation has produced clear evidence implicating prison staff in facilitating privileges for inmates. As a result, the prison chief and his secretary have been suspended pending further inquiry.
Yutthana Nakrueangsri, acting chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, said preliminary findings are expected on Tuesday or Wednesday, and the transferred officers could face suspension or temporary dismissal depending on the results of the investigation.
On Monday, a joint team from the DoC fact-finding panel, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Central Institute of Forensic Science collected evidence from a concealed room inside the prison that is at the centre of the controversy.
Pol Lt Col Anurak Rojananirankij, the DSI deputy chief, said investigators are interviewing officers responsible for inmate records, visitation procedures, and financial transactions.
The DSI has also asked immigration authorities to verify the travel history of Mr Manop.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ison-chief
-
KeithAmbrose
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2022 5:29 am
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 17 times