Bangkok Prison Scam Involving Lawyers and Guards Uncovered, Victims Seek Justice.

Bangkok: A major scandal has surfaced from a Bangkok prison where a gang, reportedly involving prison guards and lawyers, defrauded victims under the pretense of expediting their release from prison. The scam has resulted in losses exceeding 100 million baht, with the case being stalled for two years by police authorities. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thanakun Jit-Isara, President of the Santi Prachadham Club, alongside Mr. Panya, a victim and former prisoner, has formally lodged a complaint with the President of the House of Representatives. They aim to expose a corruption network that has been siphoning money from prisoners under false pretenses. Mr. Thanakun revealed that a group of fraudsters, led by an individual identified only as T., had managed to deceive individuals into transferring money, promising swifter releases. The victims have reportedly lost around 10 million baht collectively, with an additional 86 million baht believed to be connected to high-profile individuals both inside and outs ide the prison. Efforts to bring this matter to justice have been ongoing, with complaints filed to the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO). However, progress has been stalled for over two years, partly due to police involvement in the deception. Mr. T. is reportedly linked to 25 fraud cases and 60 other ongoing criminal cases, posing a significant threat to national security. The complaint demands coordination among relevant agencies to ensure transparency and justice. Mr. Panya provided detailed accounts of the operation, citing financial evidence of approximately 86 million baht extracted from the Bangkok Special Prison. He criticized the police for covering up the case for two years, leading him to seek intervention from higher authorities. He described how a particular individual within the prison would gain trust over months, leveraging connections with powerful figures to appear c redible, and extort money from prisoners and their families under various pretexts. Further illustrating the extent of the scam, Mr. Panya recounted the ease with which the fraudster moved within the prison, exploiting privileges such as unrestricted phone access and bypassing standard procedures. The operation involved deceit, extortion, and legal maneuvering, with a network of complicit lawyers turning criminal cases into civil ones. There were reports of extortion under threat of violence, and despite having ample evidence, including chat logs, the matter remains unresolved. The investigation reveals that at least 20 families have been victimized, with financial evidence spread across 15 bank accounts. Mr. Panya's revelations underscore the need for immediate action, as he continues to rally other victims to bring the perpetrators to justice. Mr. Kamphee Dithakorn, Spokesperson of the President of the House of Representatives, has assured that the matter will be forwarded to the relevant committee for i nvestigation. The goal is to address the delays and ensure the victims' rights are restored, both materially and legally.