PUBLISHED : 21 Nov 2025 at 05:54
CHIANG MAI: The government will step up investigations into narcotics and grey-market businesses, warning that all involved, including officials, will face consequences, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.
“Every organisation has both good and bad people. Those who break the law will be dealt with,” he said, urging officials not to fear political or social pressure.
Mr Anutin made his comments while leading a government delegation to Chiang Mai, beginning his inspection tour with the handover ceremony of an urgent flood-prevention project along the Ping River.
The prime minister addressed an ongoing probe into the fraudulent use of Thai ID cards by foreigners, confirming that the investigation is being expanded and will reach senior officials if necessary. In his capacity as the interior minister, he asked the Department of Provincial Administration to clarify details regarding alleged bribes involved in such cases.
Mr Anutin urged members of the public to provide information directly to the police rather than keeping it hidden, saying authorities will pursue cases fully and expand investigations based on each lead.
When asked whether this amounted to a purge within the Interior Ministry, Mr Anutin rejected the term, explaining that misconduct is limited to a minority of officials who damage the reputation of the majority. “Removing these individuals is not difficult,” he said.
“Corrupt officials who accepted bribes have already been dismissed and prosecuted, but further investigations will track their financial flows linked to organised crime,” he said.
He also said Thailand’s grey business networks are deeply interconnected, spanning human trafficking, gambling, online scams, and the sex trade.