PHAYAO – Ubercover police have arrested one of their own, a police Senior Sergeant Major Phakphum (also known as “Dab Boy”), a 44-year-old officer from the Dok Kham Tai Police Station, after finding him allegedly using narcotics in a rural field hut in Phayao Province.
The high-profile arrest occurred during a targeted raid led by Major General Pongsawat Chaiban, Commander of Phayao Provincial Police, following reports that an officer within the force was involved in illegal drug activities.
During the operation, authorities discovered 15 methamphetamine pills on the officer’s person, alongside two other suspects. Following the arrest, the officer was immediately dismissed from the police force pending a serious disciplinary investigation.
The crackdown began when top brass at the Phayao Provincial Police received credible intelligence regarding internal drug use and potential trafficking. Acting on these tips, Major General Pongsawat Chaiban mobilized a task force including the Phayao Provincial Investigation Team, the Dok Kham Tai Police, and officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Region 5.
The team tracked the suspects to a secluded hut in the middle of a rice field in Tham Charoen Rat village, Phayao City District. According to Thairath, the location was being used as a gathering point for drug consumption.
Details of the Police Raid and Evidence Seized
As the tactical team surrounded the hut, they found three individuals, including Police Senior Sergeant Major Phakphum. A search of the premises and the suspects yielded the following evidence:
- Illicit Substances: 15 methamphetamine pills (commonly known as “Yaba”) were found hidden on Sergeant Major Phakphum.
- Secondary Findings: An additional 8 pills were found on one of the other two men present at the scene.
- Drug Testing: All three men underwent on-site urine testing, which reportedly returned positive results for illegal drug substances.
The suspects were immediately detained and transported to the Dok Kham Tai Police Station for official processing and further interrogation.
The Thai police department maintains a strict “clean house” policy regarding drug involvement. Following the confirmation of the arrest, Colonel Baworn Chaikham, Superintendent of the Dok Kham Tai Police Station, submitted a formal report to the Phayao Provincial Police Commander and the Region 5 Police Commander.
The recommendation for Sergeant Major Phakphum was immediate: he has been ordered to leave the civil service. This dismissal is a preliminary measure while a severe disciplinary inquiry is conducted. Under Thai law, police officers found involved with narcotics face significantly harsher scrutiny to maintain the integrity of the justice system.
This arrest highlights the ongoing challenges local authorities face in the northern provinces regarding drug distribution. By removing an officer from the ranks, the Phayao Provincial Police aim to restore public trust and signal that no one—including those wearing the uniform—is above the law.
The case has been handed over to investigators at Dok Kham Tai, where the former officer will face criminal charges for the possession and consumption of Type 1 narcotics (methamphetamine). If convicted, the legal penalties will include imprisonment and substantial fines, in addition to the loss of his career and government benefits.
The Phayao Provincial Police have reiterated their commitment to transparency. Major General Pongsawat Chaiban noted that the investigation would continue to determine if there were any larger networks involved or if other officers had been compromised. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the legal process moves forward without bias.
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