The Immigration Bureau (IB) has opened an investigation into whether police officers, lawyers or other officials were involved in the allegedly unlawful release of two Chinese detainees.
It also confirmed that 131 Chinese nationals held for deportation were transferred to police custody between 2021 and 2025 and have not been returned for removal from the country.
The bureau said the detainees were handed over to investigators from various police units under court-issued warrants for criminal proceedings.
Officials stressed that all transfers were conducted lawfully and supported by complete documentation, noting that failure to comply with court orders could have exposed immigration officers to charges of dereliction of duty.
Pol Maj Gen Phanop Worathanatchakul, commander of the IB's Investigation Division, addressed the issue on Tuesday following allegations by anti-corruption whistleblower Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, president of the Crime Victim Assistance Club.
Mr Atchariya has accused police officers, lawyers and influential figures of colluding to fabricate criminal cases to remove Chinese detainees from the Suan Plu Immigration Detention Centre and facilitate their escape to a third country.
Pol Maj Gen Phanop said the controversy emerged after Mr Atchariya submitted documents to the justice minister requesting an inquiry into alleged misconduct.
A preliminary investigation focused on two detainees named in the complaint, Ma Guangxue and Xiao Long, who were suspected of being linked to fabricated charges.
Pol Maj Gen Phanop said Mr Ma was returned to immigration custody by Hua Mak police before he was deported on Jan 21 last year.
The Chinese Embassy sent a formal letter thanking the IB for its support.
Between 2021 and 2025, investigators from the Metropolitan Police Bureau and other police commands formally requested custody of 131 Chinese detainees for prosecution.
