Three men were arrested Monday for allegedly citing the royal institution, impersonating soldiers, and extortion.
Sompob Ratanalamai and Pongsapak Kuakigpaiboon, both 35, were apprehended separately at their homes in Bangkok's Phasi Charoen and Bangbon districts, respectively. Sorapob Sangaroon, 50, the alleged gang leader, was caught hiding in Saraburi.
Pol Col Akkaradej Pimolsri, acting chief of the Crime Suppression Division, alleged the gang wore fake air force uniforms with squadron leader insignias and flashed fake military ID cards to extort protection money from migrant workers and motorcycle-taxi drivers.
They also are accused of selling insignia stickers to motorists in the Thon Buri area to help them fend off police, and claimed to be army soldiers attached to King's Guard Regiment.
Police searched Mr Sorapob's home in Nonthaburi and seized seven counterfeit air force identification cards, two computers and a black jacket with the embroidered name of privy councillor ACM Chalit Phukpasuk, former air force chief and deputy chief of the now-defunct Council for National Security, which carried out the 2006 coup.
Pol Col Akkaradej said the three suspects will be charged with forging official documents, wearing military uniforms without permission and violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, before facing trial in a military court.