Pattaya police arrest spotter in fake police extortion gang

Thairath•Society•12d ago

Reader Briefing

Pattaya police arrested a spotter involved in a gang that impersonated officers to extort money from massage parlor employees.

•Mr. Kiattisak Kuna was arrested on September 8, 2026, for acting as a spotter for a fake police gang.
•The gang impersonated police to kidnap massage parlor employees and extort 7,500 baht.
•Two other suspects, Mr. Chalermchot Chanmanee (already arrested) and Mr. Anan Panyaphor (still fleeing), are involved.
•The victims were forced to act as undercover agents to lure foreign nationals.

•On August 3, three massage parlor employees reported being kidnapped and extorted by three men claiming to be police officers.
•At 21:00 on September 8, 2026, Muang Pattaya Police Station officers arrested Mr. Kiattisak Kuna at a daily rental room on Pattaya Sai 3.
•Mr. Kiattisak Kuna admitted to acting as a spotter who provided information on potential victims to the gang.
•Mr. Kiattisak Kuna previously served a prison sentence for drug distribution and was released approximately 1 year ago.
•Mr. Chalermchot Chanmanee has already been arrested, while Mr. Anan Panyaphor remains at large under a Pattaya Provincial Court warrant.
•Investigators charged Mr. Kiattisak Kuna with joint extortion, joint unlawful detention, and joint coercion.
•Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu stated that any police officers found to be involved in the gang will be prosecuted without exception.
•Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu advised the public to verify and immediately report any individuals claiming to be officials who conduct searches or demand money.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Muang Pattaya Police Station(สภ.เมืองพัทยา)

The police station responsible for the investigation and arrest of the fake police gang.

Pattaya Provincial Court(ศาลจังหวัดพัทยา)

The court that issued the arrest warrant for Mr. Anan Panyaphor.

Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu(พ.ต.อ.เอนก สระทองอยู่)

The Superintendent of Muang Pattaya Police Station.

Pol. Lt. Col. Arus Sapanon(พ.ต.ท.อรุษ สภานนท์)

The Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Muang Pattaya Police Station.

Pol. Lt. Col. Suradech Imjai(พ.ต.ท.สุรเดช อิ่มใจ)

The Inspector of Investigation at Muang Pattaya Police Station.

Mr. Kiattisak Kuna(นายเกียรติศักดิ์ คุณะ)

A 40-year-old LGBTQ individual from Khon Kaen province who served as a spotter for the fake police gang.

Mr. Chalermchot Chanmanee(นายเฉลิมโชติ หรือ “โชติ” จัททร์มะณี)

A 30-year-old former Mor Lam singer and suspect in the extortion case who has been arrested.

Mr. Anan Panyaphor(นายอนันต์ หรือ “ป้อม” ปัญญาพอ)

A 45-year-old suspect under a Pattaya Provincial Court warrant who is currently fleeing.

Pattaya Sai 3(พัทยาสายสาม)

The location where Mr. Kiattisak Kuna was arrested at a daily rental room.

Jomtien Beach(หาดจอมเทียน)ℹ️

The area where the victims were taken to a room after being kidnapped.