Fake ฿7m ‘tea money’ slip sparks a political storm! Police arrest former Move Forward member Chaiyarat Rekhawat over Godd Dam. He denies running the page as investigators probe viral reposts, suspected donations and a separate royal defamation case.
Thai cybercrime police grilled a former Move Forward Party member through the night over the Godd Dam Facebook scandal. Chaiyarat Rekhawat, 26, denies running the page behind a forged ฿7 million payment slip targeting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Yet police insist digital evidence identifies him as its sole administrator. By Thursday noon, he faced possible court detention after an apartment raid and repeated interrogation. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of shares, suspected fundraising and scrutiny of opposition MP Rukchanok Srinork have widened the probe. A separate royal defamation investigation threatens further charges as police pursue a rigorous approach.
Thai cybercrime police were still questioning suspected Godd Dam Facebook page operator Chaiyarat Rekhawat at noon on Thursday. The 26-year-old former Move Forward Party member denies operating the page or committing any offence.
However, investigators claim digital evidence links him to a forged ฿7 million bank transfer implicating Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Following an overnight interrogation and apartment search, police are considering further detention. Separately, a royal defamation investigation is advancing, while politicians who circulated the fabricated document face scrutiny.
By Thursday morning, October 29, Chaiyarat had undergone repeated questioning following his arrest the previous day. Police had searched his accommodation in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district and examined electronic evidence. Despite the mounting investigation, he continued denying ownership of the controversial Facebook page. His lawyers were also examining the possibility of bail ahead of further court proceedings.
Police claim digital evidence links Chaiyarat to Godd Dam as bank exposes forged ฿7 million transfer
Police Major General Siriwat Deepor, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, has directly challenged the suspect’s account. He claims investigators have established that Chaiyarat was Godd Dam’s sole administrator.
Furthermore, officers have obtained evidence from electronic devices linked to the suspect. Siriwat declined to identify the material, citing the continuing investigation.
The criminal case centres on a fabricated bank transfer slip purporting to show a ฿7 million payment. The Godd Dam Facebook page published the document, which implicated Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The supposed payment was described as tea money, a term associated with illicit payments. Its publication triggered a police investigation into the document’s origin and circulation.
Kasikornbank subsequently identified serious discrepancies in the purported transaction. The recipient account number did not exist. Moreover, the amount exceeded the stated daily transfer limit for the bank’s K PLUS application. These findings established that the payment record was fabricated. Investigators then began tracing those responsible for its publication and distribution.
Former Move Forward member arrested after voluntary police visit as Criminal Court approves warrant
Police eventually identified Chaiyarat, 26, as the suspected operator of the Facebook page. He had previously belonged to the dissolved Move Forward Party.
His political background added another dimension to an investigation already involving the prime minister. Nevertheless, the suspect rejected the accusation and arranged to meet cybercrime investigators.
On Wednesday, October 28, Chaiyarat voluntarily attended Cyber Crime Investigation Division 1 in Bangkok. He arrived at approximately 11.40 am, accompanied by a lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Initially, he explained that he wanted to clarify his position. He denied controlling Godd Dam and insisted he had no intention of fleeing.
However, police were already pursuing an arrest warrant. Investigators had assembled evidence concerning the Facebook page and submitted it to the Criminal Court. Police Lieutenant General Tinkorn Rangmat, Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, subsequently confirmed the court’s decision. The judges approved an arrest warrant against Chaiyarat following his arrival at the police bureau.
Criminal Court warrant No. 6352/2026 was issued on Wednesday, October 28. Consequently, officers arrested Chaiyarat despite his voluntary appearance. Tinkorn said investigators had presented sufficient evidence to justify the application. He also confirmed that formal charges would follow. Decisions concerning bail would remain with the investigating officers.
Suspect refuses reporters’ questions as cyber police search Bang Khen accommodation for evidence
The suspect maintained his denial when journalists approached him. “I am not the page owner,” Chaiyarat told reporters on Wednesday. His statement contradicted the police position that he controlled the Facebook operation. Notably, senior officers have continued to insist that their evidence supports the accusation.
Following the arrest, investigators moved to search accommodation linked to Chaiyarat. Officers from Technology Crime Suppression Division 1 escorted him to premises in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district. The operation took place on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Police were examining potential evidence concerning the disputed transfer slip and Facebook page.
Before leaving the Government Complex, Building B, Chaiyarat encountered reporters waiting for details of the investigation. They questioned him about the origin of the ฿7 million transfer slip. Journalists also asked whether he had personally published the document. In addition, they wanted to know whether he understood that the payment record was fabricated.
Reporters pressed him about his intentions in publishing the material, assuming he was responsible. Yet Chaiyarat refused to answer. He remained silent as officers escorted him into a police vehicle. The police convoy then travelled to the premises being searched in Bang Khen.
Overnight interrogation continues as lawyers discuss bail and police consider further detention orders
After completing the search, investigators returned Chaiyarat to Cyber Crime Investigation Division 1. Questioning resumed that evening and continued through the night. Officers examined his suspected connection to the Facebook page and the fabricated bank document. Meanwhile, preparations continued for possible court proceedings concerning his detention.
At approximately 3 am on Thursday, police transferred Chaiyarat to Thung Song Hong Police Station. His stay was brief. By 7.20 am, cybercrime officers had collected him for another interrogation. Reporters described the suspect as visibly exhausted following the overnight investigation. Even so, he declined to answer further questions from journalists.
Nation TV reported on Thursday morning that Chaiyarat had denied all charges. At 9.15 am, investigators resumed questioning him with two human rights lawyers present. Lawyer Khumklao Songsomboon subsequently addressed the possibility of bail. The lawyer confirmed that the suspect could apply for release while the criminal proceedings continued.
Police were also considering an application for court-authorised detention. Investigators could bring the matter before the Criminal Court on Thursday or Friday, October 30. The initial 48-hour custody period was an important factor in that decision. Accordingly, the next stage would involve determining whether further detention was required.
The charges involve offences under the Computer Crime Act and several provisions of the Criminal Code. Police initially identified accusations concerning the introduction and circulation of false electronic information. Investigators also cited offences relating to document forgery and the use of forged documents.
Computer crime and forgery charges widen as police examine mass sharing and suspected online donations
Police Lieutenant General Tinkorn referred to Sections 14(2) and 14(5) of the Computer Crime Act. These provisions featured in his explanation of the arrest warrant. Another initial police account identified Sections 14(1) and 14(2). Additionally, investigators cited Sections 264, 265 and 268 of the Criminal Code.
The document offences concern forgery and the use of forged documents. In this case, they relate to the fabricated ฿7 million transfer slip. The computer crime accusations concern false information introduced into electronic systems and subsequently circulated. Police are examining both the original publication and the wider distribution.
On another front, investigators have uncovered details concerning the scale of the Facebook operation. Police Major General Siriwat revealed that the disputed post had been shared tens of thousands of times. Its extensive circulation has become a significant element of the investigation. Officers are examining how the fabricated document spread through social media.
Siriwat also disclosed indications that the Godd Dam page had solicited donations. This suspected fundraising activity is another matter under examination. Police are assessing it alongside evidence concerning the transfer slip and the page’s administration. The investigation therefore covers activities extending beyond the original disputed post.
Anutin criticises opposition MP over shared fake slip as police reject claims of political direction
The Royal Thai Police spokesperson separately addressed accusations concerning political involvement. Siriwat insisted that the arrest was not politically directed. He explained that police could initiate proceedings under the Computer Crime Act without a personal complaint from the prime minister. As a result, investigators did not require Anutin to request criminal action.
Political scrutiny has nevertheless intensified following the circulation of the forged document. People’s Party MP Rukchanok Srinork is among those whose actions have attracted attention. She shared the disputed image, which falsely implicated Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Police are examining the wider distribution of the material.
In response, Anutin criticised Rukchanok’s decision to circulate the image. He argued that parliamentary procedures were available for investigating accusations involving government figures. The prime minister’s comments came as investigators examined the sharing of the document by other individuals.
The police investigation has consequently extended beyond the suspected Facebook administrator. Officers are examining the circulation of the forged payment slip through social media. The Computer Crime Act provisions cited by investigators include offences concerning the forwarding of false information. This has brought those who redistributed the image into the wider inquiry.
Suspect denies running Godd Dam as separate Section 112 investigation brings in Bang Khen police
Nevertheless, the principal criminal case against Chaiyarat concerns his suspected control of Godd Dam. Police maintain that evidence links him directly to the Facebook page. Chaiyarat rejects that claim. His denial remains unchanged despite the arrest, search and repeated questioning.
Senior officers have emphasised the electronic evidence gathered during the investigation. Siriwat claims police have established that Chaiyarat was the page’s sole administrator. However, the specific digital material supporting that claim has not been publicly detailed. Investigators are continuing their examination of the evidence.
The Bang Khen search formed part of that process. Police escorted the suspect to his accommodation after the Criminal Court authorised his arrest. Officers subsequently returned him for an extended interrogation. By early Thursday, the investigation had continued through the night without Chaiyarat withdrawing his denial.
Separately, another criminal investigation has added a further dimension to the proceedings. Police Lieutenant General Tinkorn confirmed that Bang Khen Police Station investigators were preparing to question Chaiyarat under Section 112. The provision concerns offences involving the monarchy and carries serious criminal penalties.
Separate royal defamation inquiry adds pressure as cyber police prepare further court proceedings
This investigation is distinct from the computer crime and forgery accusations surrounding the bank transfer slip. Officers from Bang Khen Police Station are expected to conduct further questioning. The Section 112 matter therefore involves another police unit alongside the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau.
Tinkorn disclosed the planned questioning when discussing the arrest on Wednesday. He explained that Bang Khen investigators would pursue the separate matter. Meanwhile, cybercrime officers remained responsible for the investigation into Godd Dam and the fabricated payment document.
The police commander also confirmed that investigators had submitted their evidence to the Criminal Court before obtaining the warrant. That approval authorised Chaiyarat’s arrest despite his voluntary attendance. Officers subsequently began formal proceedings while continuing their investigation into the Facebook page.
By noon on Thursday, attention had shifted towards the suspect’s continued detention. Investigators had resumed questioning at 9.15 am with two lawyers present. The defence was considering bail, while police examined whether to seek further court-authorised custody.
Criminal Court detention decision looms as investigators pursue electronic evidence and royal case
The decision could bring Chaiyarat before the Criminal Court on Thursday or Friday. Meanwhile, investigators were continuing their examination of electronic evidence, suspected fundraising activity and the fabricated transfer slip. The separate royal defamation investigation was also awaiting further questioning by Bang Khen police.
Fresh arrest warrant application to be made for ‘Godd Dam’ page boss on Thursday as police expand case
Special Branch and cyber police move against the ‘Godd Dam’ Facebook page after PM ‘tea money’ fake
For the 26-year-old suspect, the immediate issue remains the computer crime and forgery case authorised under warrant No. 6352/2026. Police maintain that their evidence connects him to Godd Dam. Chaiyarat continues to deny operating the page or committing any offence.
His lawyers are addressing bail as investigators prepare their next procedural move. At the same time, Bang Khen police are preparing to question him under Section 112. That separate investigation could bring further criminal proceedings alongside the existing charges.
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Further reading:
Special Branch and cyber police move against the ‘Godd Dam’ Facebook page after PM ‘tea money’ fake
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