Police Commissioner Kittirat Phanphet has ordered a formal investigation into officers at Rattanathibet Station after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul intervened over images showing suspect Chalong Riewrang smoking and appearing without handcuffs during interrogation on August 11, 2026. The probe focuses on whether police violated regulations regarding the detention of a murder suspect.
The National Police Chief, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, confirmed at 10:44 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul personally called to criticize the conduct of police handling the detention of Chalong Riewrang. Chalong, a former Nonthaburi MP, is the suspect in the shooting death of Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization President Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenprasert.
The Prime Minister’s intervention followed the circulation of images showing Chalong smoking a cigarette during his interrogation at the Rattanathibet Police Station and appearing without handcuffs. Prime Minister Anutin, who also serves as the Minister of Interior, expressed anger over the situation, stating, just a few hours ago he just went and shot someone dead! He noted that the suspect should not be treated as if he were in a normal situation, describing the shooting as a heinous crime that shocked the public and destroyed the morale of the people.
Internal Probe into Detention Regulations
In response to the Prime Minister’s directives, Pol. Gen. Kittirat has tasked Pol. Gen. Itthipol Atchariyaprasit, the Inspector General of Police, to establish a fact-finding committee. The committee will determine if the lack of restraints and the permission to smoke violated long-standing police regulations, with Pol. Gen. Kittirat stating that results are expected “soon.”
The Police Chief noted that these regulations have existed across multiple eras of police leadership, specifically citing the tenure of former Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kowit Wattana. He emphasized that the law must be applied strictly, regardless of seniority or personal relationships. Specifically, he mentioned that while Pol. Lt. Gen. Wattana Yeejin, Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, is his senior, he does not feel awkward in pursuing a strict legal review because everything must be carried out according to law and regulations.
If the investigation finds that officers’ actions fall under the scope of a crime according to Section 157—which concerns the dereliction of duty or malfeasance by a public official—Pol. Gen. Kittirat stated they must be investigated thoroughly.
Prime Minister Anutin’s Directives to Nonthaburi Officials
The Prime Minister has extended his demands for strictness beyond the police force. He has instructed the Governor of Nonthaburi and the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Commander to ensure that no special treatment or convenience is provided to the suspect, regardless of his former status as a Member of Parliament. Anutin stated, I have instructed the Governor of Nonthaburi and the Commander of the Nonthaburi Provincial Police to accelerate this matter with decisiveness and absolute firmness, with no assistance or convenience of any kind.
Anutin characterized the shooting as a heinous crime and insisted that since Chalong’s status is now clearly that of a “criminal” and a “murderer”—someone who caused another person’s death and failed to follow the law—any form of privilege in his treatment is unacceptable. He noted that the Governor of Nonthaburi and the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Commander would accelerate actions with the local police station.
Weapon Search Challenges and FBI Rumors
During the press briefing, the Police Chief also addressed the broader issue of weapon control and the establishment of checkpoints following the use of firearms in the area. He admitted that searching for weapons is “difficult,” but argued that police must utilize skills, knowledge, and intelligence data to prevent the carrying of weapons and reduce the risk of violent incidents to ensure public safety.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat also addressed unconfirmed reports suggesting the FBI provided leads that helped Thai police search the home of a perpetrator in a separate shooting case at Thepsirin Nonthaburi School. He stated that he has not yet received any official report regarding FBI involvement in that matter. To ensure the case is handled correctly and to provide lessons learned, he has assigned Deputy Police Chiefs to oversee the investigation.
Closing the briefing, the Police Chief asserted that while weapon searches are difficult, there is nothing under the Thai sky that the Thai police cannot do.
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