Central Investigation Bureau Releases List of Thailand's Top 10 Crimes in 2023
The Central Investigation Bureau recognized the bust of a cheating ring aiding police officer school admissions as the most notable crime in Thailand for 2023. Here’s a summary of the top ten crimes:
1. An operation on March 29 dismantled a group of 17 who helped candidates cheat on police non-commissioned officer school exams, leading to over 100 disqualifications.
2. On April 11, a crackdown caught 114 individuals tied to an online gambling ring reportedly linked to ex-police officer Wasawat Mukarasakul, exposed by whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit.
3. On April 25, alleged serial killer Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn was arrested for cyanide poisonings, with suspicions of at least 14 fatalities.
4. The abbot of Wat Pa Thamma Khiri, Phra Achan Khom, faced arrest on May 6 for misappropriating 300 million baht from temple funds.
5. A Canadian was apprehended in Canada on May 30, charged with the murder of a global crime figure in Phuket.
6. An international collaboration led to the August 16 arrest of traffickers attempting to export 1.4 tonnes of pangolin scales from Thailand.
7. On August 31, a Sino-Thai police operation dismantled the "Pig Butchering" Chinese fraud syndicate involved in scams totaling around 1 billion baht.
8. Corruption within Thai e-procurement systems was exposed when five officials were arrested on June 14 for embezzling 80 million baht.
9. A smuggling ring was busted on November 24 for illicitly importing 23 million litres of diesel.
These indictments underscore the CIB’s relentless pursuit of justice across various high-profile cases this year.