Photographer arrested in Bangkok for selling explicit images online

Thai police arrested a 46 year old prominent photographer for selling explicit images of models on VK and OnlyFans, earning him hundreds of thousands of baht monthly. He was previously arrested in 2020 for lewd acts involving victims.

Police officials, led by Major General Athip Phongsiwapai, orchestrated the arrest of Thanakrit “Ohm” Weerapakdee at his residence in Bangkok. The operation was conducted with support from Colonel Pattawit Wongpinij, Deputy Superintendent Phongthon Ponokkeaw, and Sub-Inspector Pakin Sukphrom.

The police seized a mobile phone, computer, hard drive, a Kasikorn Bank account book, and 18 pages of transaction records from his OnlyFans and bank accounts.

Investigations revealed that Thanakrit had been posting explicit images and messages on his VK account under the name Kantaehee, which had amassed a large following. He used this platform to direct followers to his OnlyFans account, where he uploaded photos and videos of nude women, charging a fee to unlock the content.

Police gathered sufficient evidence to obtain a warrant from the Thonburi Criminal Court before moving in to arrest him. During the search, they found numerous devices containing obscene images and videos. Thanakrit admitted to managing the accounts and producing all the explicit content himself.

As a freelance photographer, he had converted his home into a studio for this purpose. Subscribers paid between US$4.99 and US$29.99 (approximately 170 to 1,023 baht) per album via credit card, generating significant monthly income for him.

Thanakrit has been charged with “importing pornographic data into a computer system, producing, possessing, and distributing pornographic materials for commercial purposes.” He has been handed over to Bang Bon Police Station for further legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod.

Further examination of Thanakrit’s background revealed that in 2020, he was arrested by the Tha Kham Police for secretly filming two models while they were changing outfits. Reports indicate that numerous victims have come forward with allegations of misconduct, including an incident where Thanakrit’s girlfriend was also subjected to lewd acts.