Thai Interior Ministry to launch nationwide crackdown on influential figures

The nationwide crackdown on influential figures, orchestrated by Thailand’s Interior Ministry, is set to kick off on December 1, confirmed Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth.

The operation, a collaborative effort between numerous authorities, including provincial administrative organisations, subdistrict administrative organisations, law enforcement and armed forces, is aimed at scrutinising and disbanding networks of these influential figures.

A comprehensive list of approximately 700 such figures has been compiled by the ministry, categorised by a colour-based system. Individuals or groups labelled red require immediate and decisive action, while those designated yellow are subject to close monitoring.

The red category contains less than 100 names, leaving the remaining 600 to be designated as yellow. The Interior Ministry has set a target of three months, post the December 1 launch, to investigate and disband networks of those in the red category. A monthly progress report from each province is also requisite.

Meanwhile, individuals and groups falling under the yellow category are subject to investigations and stringent monitoring, with a deadline set for six months from the operation’s onset. Bi-monthly progress reports from each province are expected for this group.

The operation will capitalise on local intelligence, gathered by community figures such as district chiefs, village committees, subdistrict physicians and the Volunteer Defence Corps. The crackdown will primarily target those involved in illicit activities such as drug trafficking and loan sharking, reported Bangkok Post.

The Interior Ministry has identified 16 offences that fall within the ambit of an influential figure. This includes operating loan shark businesses, manipulation of bidding prices, public transport bribery, exploitation of entrepreneurs, tax evasion, operating gambling rings, human trafficking and involvement in narcotics.

The Deputy Interior Minister of Thailand confirmed the completion of a list containing 600 to 700 individuals deemed as influential figures known for their dark influence across the nation. This list was discussed at a committee meeting on October 3. Read the original story HERE.