The case centres on Ritesh Patel, 43, who was arrested in Thailand in June 2022 after allegedly entering the country using another person’s travel information.
Patel was later extradited to the UK, where in March this year he was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for leading a major organised crime network that distributed hundreds of kilogrammes of cocaine and heroin throughout Britain. (See UK Crown Prosecution Service report here.)
NACC Secretary-General and spokesperson Surapong Intarathaworn announced yesterday (July 7) that the commission had found sufficient grounds to conclude that seven people committed offences relating to official duties and corruption.
According to the NACC investigation, Patel was arrested by Police Operation Unit 2 on June 27, 2022, for illegally entering Thailand using another person’s travel information. He was initially detained at the Phuket Immigration Detention Centre before being transferred the following day to the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Bangkok.
After Patel’s transfer to Bangkok, a friend allegedly sought help in arranging his release. On June 29, 2022, the intermediary contacted Witthaya Somsrisakul, who allegedly claimed he knew Pol Col Rames Kaewsoongnern, an officer responsible for handling applications for extensions of stay for foreigners and legal cases involving foreign nationals.
According to the NACC, Mr Witthaya initially demanded B1 million as a processing fee, with the money transferred into the account of Apirak Thiangtham.
The NACC alleges that Mr Witthaya later told the intermediary that a total of B6mn would be required to secure Patel’s release and informed Pol Col Rames so he could coordinate with immigration officers.
Investigators said Mr Witthaya later met the intermediary at the IDC in Bangkok and attempted to visit Patel. However, immigration officers refused entry, saying there was no policy allowing visits to detainees and no authorisation had been granted by a superior officer.
After the failed visit, Mr Witthaya allegedly insisted the money first had to be paid. A further B5mn was subsequently transferred into bank accounts belonging to Natnaree Boonma and Thipsuda Insongjai, following Mr Witthaya’s instructions, the NACC said.
Despite the alleged payments, Patel was never granted bail.
The commission said its investigation found that the money was subsequently transferred to accounts belonging to Mr Witthaya, Pol Col Rames and his wife Buraya Kaewsoongnern.
Patel ultimately remained in custody while British authorities pursued his extradition. Following legal proceedings in Thailand, including an unsuccessful appeal against the extradition order, he was returned to the UK in October 2025.
In March this year, Cardiff Crown Court sentenced Patel to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin.
British prosecutors described him as the leader of an organised crime group responsible for distributing hundreds of kilograms of Class A drugs across the United Kingdom using a fleet of vehicles, including fake NHS patient transport vans, commercial vehicles and taxis fitted with sophisticated hidden compartments to evade law enforcement.
According to the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service, Patel directed the operation from bases in Dubai, southern Spain, Liverpool and South Wales. Investigators used encrypted EncroChat messages to prove his role in orchestrating the movement of drugs and millions of pounds in criminal proceeds around Britain.
The NACC ruled that Mr Witthaya and Pol Col Rames should face criminal charges under the Criminal Code and Thailand’s anti-corruption law, with Pol Col Rames also facing serious disciplinary action.
The commission also found that Mr Apirak, Ms Natnaree, Ms Thipsuda and Ms Buraya were criminally liable as accomplices for supporting the alleged bribery scheme.
The NACC said its investigation file, evidence and findings will now be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for criminal prosecution, while the relevant authorities will also be asked to initiate disciplinary proceedings against those subject to disciplinary action.