BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s national police chief has ordered a major overhaul of the country’s investigative system as authorities race to modernize policing and combat increasingly sophisticated cybercrime. Pol Col Kitrat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, has directed police agencies nationwide to accelerate reforms aimed at improving investigative speed, technological capability, and support systems for officers handling cyber-related cases.
The reform plan is being spearheaded by Pol Col Nirandorn Luemsri, deputy national police chief and director of the Police Investigation Management and Development Center, under a “Quick Win” strategy targeted for implementation within the 2026 fiscal year. The initiative focuses on three major areas – improving public services through the Police Care application, upgrading investigative systems with AI-assisted technology, and strengthening career development and welfare support for investigators.
Among the key reforms already approved is a project to distribute more than 3,300 laptop computers to newly graduated investigators between 2026 and 2027. Police said the laptops will allow investigators to work more efficiently, access legal databases remotely, and respond faster to cases in line with criminal procedure requirements mandating prompt investigations. Officials revealed that many young investigators previously had to purchase their own computers, describing the issue as a long-standing burden within the force.
Authorities have also officially launched a nationwide budget-monitoring system for investigative work to ensure police stations properly receive and manage operational funding.
Additional projects currently under development include an AI-powered Smart E-Library for legal research and a digital case-budget support system that would allocate funding for online investigations based on individual case identification numbers.
Police estimate Thailand now handles nearly 400,000 cyber-related cases annually, increasing pressure on investigative resources and operational budgets. Pol Col Nirandorn said the reforms are designed to modernize Thailand’s justice system from the ground up while improving efficiency, transparency, and morale among investigators.
