DSI Statement on Searching Nauru Consul-General’s Residence

DSI Statement on Searching Nauru Consul-General’s Residence

       Reference is made to the misinformation circulated on social media that on 22 December 2022, DSI officers in cooperation with police officers from Patrol and Special Operations Division (also known as 191) of the Royal Thai Police served a search warrant of Bangkok South Criminal Court on a rented private residence of Consul-General of Nauru to Thailand and his family on Narathiwat Ratchanakarin road, Thung Maha Mek Sub-district, Sathon District, Bangkok. The search has led to the seizure of 12 items worth over 2.5 million baht, which was transferred to Thung Maha Mek police for criminal proceedings. It is later claimed that the items found during the search outnumbered the ones seized.

       DSI’s initial check reveals that the Vice Consul-General of Nauru sent a request letter dated 9 December 2022 to DSI Director-General, seeking DSI’s assistance in the case where the Consulate-General found a private residence was rented by the Consul-General outside the area of Consulate-General. It also discovered several violations of regulations by allowing Asian individuals, believed to be Chinese nationals, to use the property for purposes other than as the residence of the Consul-General. All-day entries and exits at the property have grown suspicious and disturbing for neighbors, who consist of diplomats from other countries. This might pose risks to international relations and security between Nauru and Thailand.

       In response, Director-General Triyarith on 14 December 2022 assigned Bureau of Regional Operations to look into the case. The second letter dated 21 December 2022 from the Consulate-General of Nauru in Thailand provided DSI with further information, with photos of vehicles bearing blue diplomatic license plates which do not belong to the Consulate-General coming in and out of the Consul-General’s residence. The letter suggests that this might threaten national security and international relations, and once again seeks assistance from DSI.

       It subsequently appears from the facts that on 22 December 2022 the search in question was conducted by DSI officers from the Bureau of Regional Operations and police officers from Patrol and Special Operations Division.  In this light, DSI has ordered its Bureau of Regional Operations to submit the report on the joint operation without delay for consideration and further actions. DSI affirms that the operation was at the request of the Consulate-General of Nauru in Thailand, and it will keep the general public updated on the findings of its internal inquiry.