DSI Probes Hidden Room Scandal as ‘Chinese Grey Network’ Expands Inside Bangkok Remand Bangkok Prison

On November 24, 2025, Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat, accompanied by a fact-finding committee and the Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), visited the Bangkok Remand Prison on November 22, to inspect a growing scandal uncovered during a surprise raid. The raid revealed serious misconduct among prison officials, particularly senior administrators, who allegedly provided VIP privileges to Chinese inmates known as “grey Chinese.” The findings led to the immediate transfer of Warden Manop Chomchuen and 15 other officers. The minister also ordered the DSI to initiate a formal investigation and consider elevating the case to a “special case” under the Special Case Investigation Act of 2004.

The Sunday-morning raid, conducted on a non-visitation day, found two Chinese women inside the prison grounds. One woman was discovered inside a “hidden under the stairs” with a Chinese inmate, while the other waited on the second floor. Although both women denied engaging in prostitution, officers uncovered crucial evidence, including semen-like stains on tissue paper, used condoms, condom boxes, and women’s underwear scattered on the floor. All evidence was sent to the Central Institute of Forensic Science for examination.

The hidden room, secured with two layers of locked doors, took time for officers to break into, giving the inmate and the woman enough time to dress before officials reached them. Authorities now believe both women have already left the country.

Photo: กรรมกรข่าว

The “hidden room,” originally a reception room for supervising officers, had been modified for exclusive use by influential Chinese inmates. The 10-square-meter room, located between the prison’s two most restrictive security doors, contained a sofa set, a table, and a refrigerator. A private access route linked it directly to the warden’s office on the second floor. Investigators found that Chinese women had been entering the facility “every Sunday” since early November, despite Sundays being strictly non-visitation days.

Investigators confirmed that the warden was present on the second floor during the raid while the illicit acts were taking place. Several officers testified that they had followed direct orders from Manop, suggesting clear involvement from prison leadership. More than 20 officers from various departments were implicated, prompting the Department of Corrections to order a total transfer of 34 staff, 15 in the first round, including the warden, and another 19 in the second round, to prisons in other provinces such as Trat, Kabin Buri, Nakhon Pathom, and Chonburi.

It is expected that between 25-26 November 2025, Ruttaphon will issue a statement updating the public on the case involving 20 Bangkok Remand Prison officers who were transferred after evidence linked them to multiple misconduct allegations. Preliminary reports suggest that some of these transfers may be escalated to “suspension” or “temporary removal from duty,” as the evidence becomes increasingly clear.

The two Chinese inmates found inside the secret room have been transferred to Khao Bin Prison, a high-security facility. An additional 3-4 inmates linked to the incident have also been relocated.

The DSI tasked its Bureau of Security Case Investigation with probing three core issues: establishing the complete facts, identifying involved officials and influential figures, and examining whether the foreign-inmate network is tied to transnational crime. The investigation will focus heavily on financial flows, which are expected to be complex due to the frequent use of “ghost accounts” and nominees to obscure transactions.

The DSI has also coordinated with immigration authorities to review the international travel history of former warden Manop, following reports that he traveled to Macau frequently, possibly for gambling or to receive payments from “grey Chinese” groups. Investigators are also looking into claims that he had been gifted a luxury vehicle during his tenure.

Another key question concerns the funding used to renovate the secret room. If the renovation took place under Manop’s administration, investigators must determine whether government funds or “patronage” from affluent inmates, particularly grey Chinese figures were used. Similar unofficial financing has been reported in past prison renovations.

The raid also uncovered numerous prohibited items, including knives, foreign-brand cigarettes, alcohol, electric appliances, refrigerators, mobile phones, and portable air-conditioners. Many grey Chinese inmates were housed in Zones 2, 4, and especially Zone 8, the largest and most sensitive area, where officers feared inmates might have buried weapons underground. Investigators believe the initial tip-off came from Thai inmates who felt they were treated unfairly compared to Chinese inmates.

A committee has since interviewed Thai inmates in Zone 8, who confirmed that Chinese prisoners received exceptional privileges, causing resentment. Authorities also discovered that sections of the CCTV footage from the day of the incident had been deleted and are now working to recover the missing timelines. Meanwhile, forensic officers are scheduled to re-examine the sealed secret room on 24 November to search for additional biological evidence.

Ruttaphon described the incident as “unacceptable” and a “violation of the justice system,” noting that the Department of Corrections represents the final stage of the judicial process and must uphold its integrity. Reports suggest that the scandal came to light after Thai inmates voiced concerns to their families, which escalated into formal complaints and ultimately triggered the major raid. The investigation continues as authorities work to identify those who arranged for the women to enter the prison, those responsible for smuggling prohibited items, and the broader grey-Chinese network operating behind the scenes.

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Source of material: official media /online news