Bangkok: Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has expressed urgency in the case involving Mr. Nattaporn Toprayoon, a former advisor to the Ombudsman and a suspect in the Klongchan Cooperative money laundering case. Anutin has urged the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to promptly issue a summons for Natthaphon, and if he fails to appear, an arrest warrant must be issued immediately to prevent any damage to the reputation of the government agency.

According to Thai News Agency, Anutin highlighted the coordination efforts between the DSI and the Department of Provincial Administration to bring Nattaporn to justice. The DSI has been actively tracking Nattaporn across various provinces concerning the sovereign wealth collusion case. There has been an ongoing request for cooperation from the provincial administration to assist the DSI in locating Nattaporn. With the statute of limitations approaching on June 15, Anutin emphasized the need for prompt action. He assured that the Ministry of the Interior is prepared to collaborate with the DSI to locate Nattaporn, contingent on the issuance of an arrest warrant.

Anutin expressed concern over the prolonged nature of the case, pointing out that despite coordination efforts by the prosecutor in February 2025, the suspect has been able to appear in multiple locations without being detained. He stressed the importance of accountability, questioning why the arresting officers allowed the case to extend to the brink of the statute of limitations. Anutin urged for accelerated efforts as the suspect has not fled and remains in the country.

When asked about the delays in filing a lawsuit despite the case dragging on for eight years, Anutin noted that Nattaporn had a history of legal issues under his former name but was never held accountable. The Department of Provincial Administration’s criminal record check revealed multiple cases under his old name, suggesting a pattern of evading the statute of limitations. Anutin warned that failure to arrest Nattaporn would not only constitute neglect of duty but also tarnish the state’s image. He called for collective efforts to ensure national security and prevent individuals from evading legal charges.