BANGKOK – Thailand’s narcotics police have arrested a parliamentary hopeful from the opposition Peoples Party, accusing him of money laundering linked to a large cross-border drug trafficking group.
The arrest followed early-morning raids after a year-long probe, and it has raised fresh concerns about organised crime and politics just weeks before the general election.
The crackdown, known as “Black Mirror TKP”, involved more than 120 officers, including specialist tactical teams from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB). Police carried out coordinated raids at 22 sites across five provinces: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Lopburi, and Trang.
Searches started at 6.00 am on 29 December, hitting homes, high-end properties, and businesses believed to be fronts. Investigators seized assets valued at hundreds of millions of baht, including luxury vehicles, weapons, cash, and paperwork said to connect the group to drug profits estimated at over 20 billion baht (about $632 million).
NSB Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Archayon Kraithong said the group used shell firms, including logistics and petroleum businesses such as TKP Petroleum, to wash money from methamphetamine, ketamine, and heroin sales. He told reporters the companies appeared to have little or no genuine trading, yet large sums moved through dozens of bank accounts.
The case began in February 2025, when border rangers in Nakhon Phanom arrested three Lao nationals with a large haul of crystal meth. Financial checks by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) later linked that case to other major drug seizures during the year, including millions of meth tablets recovered in Chiang Rai and Phrae.
Boonrit Raoroongroj Taken into Custody
The most sensitive arrest involved Boonrit Raoroongroj (บุญฤทธิ์ ระรุ่งโรจน์), a People’s Party candidate for Bangkok Constituency 33 (Bang Phlat, Bangkok Noi). Police detained him at his home in Taling Chan around midday on 29 December.
Boonrit had registered as a candidate only days earlier, on 27 December. He acknowledged being a director and shareholder in one of the companies named in the investigation, but said he had no part in any drug trade or money laundering. He commented while being taken to NSB headquarters.
Police have accused him of money laundering and supporting a transnational criminal organisation. If found guilty, he could face a long prison sentence and the loss of assets.
In another raid, officers entered a luxury European-style villa and arrested a Thai man and his Laotian wife. Police seized two luxury cars, a motorcycle, 11 handguns, five rifles, 1 million baht in cash, and other valuables. Authorities allege the pair helped register inactive companies used to move illegal funds, while the couple reportedly denied playing an active role.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma supervised the operation. He said the action was aimed at disrupting drug funding networks during the holiday period, calling it one of the biggest coordinated moves against narcotics finance in recent years.
Peoples Party Acts Quickly
The arrest hit hard for the People’s Party, a progressive opposition group that has promoted an anti-corruption message through its “No Grey Area” campaign, which promises to keep criminal money out of politics.
By 9.40 am on 29 December, party executive Pijarn Cheawpattanawong announced Boonrit’s immediate removal as a candidate. He said the party acted as soon as internal checks confirmed an arrest warrant.
Peoples Party leader Nattapong Ruangpanyawut also issued a public apology, saying the incident had damaged trust. The party then moved to name a replacement ahead of the 31 December registration deadline.
Former People’s Party MP Thawiphop Limjittrakorn offered to stand in Constituency 33. He said he wanted to help rebuild confidence before the February 2026 election, even though he had previously stepped away from politics.
Party figures said screening had been done, but the warrant only surfaced recently. A spokesperson said the case ran against the party’s stance on “grey” influence, adding that Boonrit was unlikely to be able to continue in politics.
The Political Fallout
The case lands at a tense moment, with election campaigning underway and public attention fixed on links between crime and power. The Peoples Party, which draws strong support from younger voters pushing for reform, now faces tougher scrutiny over how candidates are vetted.
Rivals have used the arrest to attack the opposition’s credibility. Supporters point to the swift removal as a sign the party is willing to act when problems appear. Analysts say the situation may weaken support in urban areas, where concerns about “grey capital” are great.
Police say the investigation isn’t over. Kraithong confirmed Operation Black Mirror TKP is still active, and further arrests may follow as officers track connected groups.
With drug trafficking routes from neighbouring countries continuing to pressure Thailand, the case shows how drug money can seep into legitimate sectors, including politics. For the People’s Party, the next few weeks will focus on rebuilding trust, while the country watches what comes next.
