Thai authorities stepped up efforts to hold officials to account this week as investigators broadened a case involving a senior police official, Deputy Director Surachate Hakparn, amid accusations of corruption tied to an illegal online gaming network. The inquiry centers on possible bribery and illicit fund flows during ongoing probes into a high‑profile murder linked to a Spaniard named Daniel Sancho.
In the early hours, investigators searched Hakparn’s Bangkok residence to collect evidence about alleged bribes totaling around 140 million baht, roughly 3.9 million dollars or 3.6 million euros, according to state media. The operation reflects a wider crackdown on corruption within the police force, with officials indicating no arrest warrant had been issued for Hakparn as the inquiry continues.
Separately, authorities have targeted about 30 junior officers suspected of involvement in the bribery scheme. This group is led by Phongsiri Tharawongsuk, a former president of the Lamphun Warriors football club. The developments mark a pivotal moment in Thailand’s ongoing effort to restore public trust in law enforcement amid high‑profile cases.
Hakparn, known for his media presence and as a prominent figure in the Royal Thai Police, has been a public face during the investigation into the death on Phangan island, where Daniel Sancho is linked to the murder of a Colombian man, Edwin Arrieta. The case has attracted intense attention both at home and overseas, complicating the police department’s public narrative as it faces political and legal scrutiny.
Sancho, a Spaniard and son of actor Rodolfo Sancho, has faced legal action related to the killing and dismemberment of Arrieta. He was detained on Phangan and later transferred to the nearby Samui region for temporary detention while investigators build their case. The detention follows a confession obtained at a local police station, with authorities noting that the suspect remains in temporary custody as legal proceedings unfold.
As the inquiry progresses, Thai authorities have outlined a timeline, noting that Sancho has a defined period to respond to charges starting from the beginning of his temporary detention on August 7. The internal probe into Hakparn and the bribery allegations runs in parallel with the murder investigation, underscoring the complexity of overlapping legal matters that often accompany high‑profile cases in the region.
Upon concluding the investigative phase, the police are expected to file a formal report with the Samui Prosecutor’s Office, which will set the dates for subsequent trials. The murder case hinges on the events surrounding the initial meeting between Sancho and Arrieta, reportedly arranged after they connected on social media and met on Phangan on August 2. Arrieta’s body was found at multiple locations around the island, including coastal areas, fueling ongoing inquiries into the circumstances and potential involvement of Sancho in the crime.
Most recently, Sancho appeared in a teleconference hearing in Samui province to seek an extension of temporary detention. The session marked the first without a defense attorney, highlighting the ongoing legal complexities as judicial authorities assess the appropriate path for the suspect’s confinement and future court appearances. [Source: Thai state media and official court records]”