Department of Special Investigation

This article is about the Thai government agency. For other uses, see Special Investigations.

Department of Special Investigation
กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ
Department overview
Formed3 October 2002; 22 years ago (2002-10-03)
TypeMinisterial department
JurisdictionGovernment of Thailand
HeadquartersBangkok, Thailand
Annual budget1,190 million baht (FY2019)
Department executive
  • Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Director-General
Parent departmentMinistry of Justice
Websitewww.dsi.go.th/index
DSI Headquarters (left) at Chaengwattana Rd.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is a department of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand. It operates independently of the Royal Thai Police and is tasked with the investigation of certain "special cases". These include complex criminal cases, those affecting national security, those involving organised criminal organisations and those potentially implicating high-ranking government officials or police officers. As of June 24, 2020 the DSI is tasked to investigate and follow up on cases under the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances if and when it becomes law on cases involving torture or forced disappearances.[1]

The DSI is often referred to as Thailand's counterpart to the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).[2] Since its inception, the DSI has seen conflicts with the police over jurisdiction and authority over cases, and department officials have publicly expressed concern that the department's work has been consistently subject to political interference.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ "Cabinet gives nod for draft bill on torture, abduction". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Law enforcement agency tries to shake off shackles". Bangkok Post. 10 May 2009.
  3. ^ "Thailand: Effort underway to define functions of Department of Special Investigation". Thai Press Reports. 8 March 2007. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Thai special investigation team must politically freed: senior official". People's Daily Online. Xinhua. 12 July 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  5. ^ Laohong, King-oua (1 September 2012). "Famed crime fighter bows out". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 December 2012.