The recent arrest of four suspects who allegedly impersonated military officers to extort money from Bangkok residents may seem like an open and shut case. But police investigators believe the four are only the minions in the extortion racket.
Police first nabbed Sanya Niwong on April 22, following complaints over his "fake soldier" exploits. Five days later, they caught three alleged accomplices: Siraphop Saengarun, Somphop Rattanalamai and Phongsaphak Kueakitphaibun.
But investigators remained unconvinced they had caught everyone involved in the case, and believed the real figures pulling the strings behind the racket were still at large.
They also believed they were linked to real soldiers, according to Pol Lt Col Phatthanaphong Siphinphro, Crime Suppression Division (CSD) sub-division 1 inspector.
An ongoing investigation has revealed the mastermind behind Mr Siraphop's activities. The new suspect is believed to be an ex-military officer attached to the military police unit, he said.
Siraphop: Named as head of gang
Officers are gathering evidence for an arrest warrant and will not reveal the suspect's identity.
The first four suspects in the racket were arrested when Central Investigation Bureau chief Thitirat Nonghanpitak raised doubts over Mr Sanya's arrest, as he could not believe Mr Sanya was acting alone.
With the military in full control of the country, he did not think that anyone would dare to claim to be a military officer and extort money without military backing.
The CIB chief sent in the CSD officers to investigate.
Some people had lodged police complaints the 40-year-old suspect extorted money as a fee to "protect" foreign labourers, even though the workers have work permits.
Mr Sanya showed what he claimed was his military identity card while approaching victims in the Phasi Charoen area. Phasi Charoen police arrested Mr Sanya for wearing a military uniform and impersonating an officer.
Pol Col Chiraphop Phuridet, superintendent of CSD sub-division 1, assigned Pol Lt Col Phatthanaphong and Pol Lt Col Monchai Wongchatri to the case.
The pair interrogated Mr Sanya, who eventually revealed the names of other alleged gang members including Mr Siraphop, 50, or "Seh Ra", meaning military chief of staff, who was allegedly the head of the gang.
Mr Somphop, 35, and Mr Phongsaphak, 35, were also implicated as they forged Mr Sanya's military identity card, which he used to extort protection fees from motorcycle taxis and illegal business owners. "They usually paid up as they did not want problems since the military is in power," Mr Sanya said.
On April 27, the officers nabbed Mr Somphop at his house in Phasi Charoen district and Mr Phongsaphak at his house in Bang Bon district. Mr Siraphop tried to flee but was nabbed by highway police on Phahonyothin Road in Sara Buri's Nong Khae district.
Mr Siraphop's house search in Nonthaburi's Bang Yai district yielded two guns, an air force officer's uniform and seven air force identity cards. Mr Siraphop's brother Thakun admitted he owned the weapons.
The gang also reportedly lured people into buying stickers to raise money for a bogus charity, claiming they were soldiers with a Royal Guard Unit, said Pol Lt Col Phatthanaphong.
The last wrongdoing has brought the four suspects a lese majeste charge on top of charges for impersonating the military and forging state documents.
The case is now with the Military Court. "But it's not finished yet. We are still working to nab the mastermind behind this gang of fake soldiers," Pol Lt Col Phatthanaphong said.
Contact Crime Track: crimetrack@bangkokpost.co.th