Bangkok: Top Thai Police Reassigned, Myanmar Crime Probe Launched
In a decisive move against suspected involvement in gambling and human trafficking, two high-ranking Thai police officers in Tak province have been reassigned to Bangkok pending investigation. This action is part of a wider government campaign to dismantle illegal operations in neighboring Myanmar, including call centers and other scams.
National Police Chief Kittharath Punpetch ordered the immediate transfer of Pol Maj Gen Ekkarat Intasueb and Pol Maj Gen Samrit Aimkamol to police headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday. This signals a significant escalation in efforts to address cross-border criminal activities.
Pol Maj Gen Ekkarat, 53, formerly served as acting head of a regional branch of the Inspector General’s Office, overseeing several northern provinces, including Tak. A well-known figure in the Tak border region, he previously served as police chief of Mae Sot district. Local media reports cite his ownership of a lavish five-rai estate, featuring a waterfall and golf driving range, although he reportedly resided in police accommodation provided for the Mae Sot chief. Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, will lead the investigation into potential links between Pol Maj Gen Ekkarat and businesses operating within the Myawaddy Complex in Myanmar—an entertainment venue notorious for gambling and other illicit activities situated across the border from Mae Sot.
Pol Maj Gen Samrit, the Tak police commander responsible for the entire Myanmar border within the province, is under scrutiny for possible connections to a human trafficking operation. Investigators suspect his involvement in schemes luring foreigners to Thailand before smuggling them into Myanmar via Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, and Phob Phra districts. The Provincial Police Region 6 Office is leading this investigation.
Further emphasizing the crackdown’s seriousness, the superintendents of the Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, and Phob Phra police stations were also immediately reassigned to the Provincial Police Region 6 Office to facilitate the human trafficking investigation.
These transfers represent the first wave of action against high-ranking officers suspected of colluding with criminal enterprises in Myanmar. The Thai government has intensified efforts to disrupt these operations by targeting essential resources, including electricity, fuel, and internet services. This strategy aims to cripple their functionality and ultimately dismantle these illicit networks.
Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reinforced the government’s commitment, stating his intention to remove any state officials connected to illegal activities in border regions. This decisive action aims to eliminate their influence and pave the way for more thorough investigations. This comprehensive approach demonstrates the Thai authorities' determination to sever ties between officials and criminal organizations, restoring integrity and security to the border region. This campaign holds significant weight, impacting not only law enforcement but also Thailand’s reputation and its relationship with Myanmar. The ongoing investigation will be crucial in determining the extent of the alleged involvement and bringing those responsible to justice.
