ACSC explains photo of Pol Lt-Gen Jirabhop with alleged Kok An associate

The Anti Cyber Scam Centre (ACSC) has issued a clarification regarding a viral photo showing Pol Lt-Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej alongside an alleged associate of Cambodian tycoon Kok An, stating the meeting was a formal discussion on scam suppression.

The explanation follows a post on the CSI LA Facebook page, in which an image was shared of Pol Lt-Gen Jirabhop, Assistant Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, and his team dining with a group of individuals.

The post suggested a close personal relationship between the Thai law enforcement officer and an alleged right-hand man of Cambodian businessman Kok An.

The ACSC addressed the controversy yesterday, confirming that, while the image is authentic, the context provided online was misleading.

The centre stated that the event took place on November 27, 2024, at a restaurant in a central Bangkok shopping mall and was part of an official meeting with Pol Gen Sam Vannvirak, Deputy National Police Chief of Cambodia, to discuss bilateral cooperation in dismantling cross-border call centre scams.

Furthermore, the centre emphasised that Pol Lt-Gen Jirabhop had no prior acquaintance with the subordinates and associates accompanying the Cambodian official and maintains no personal or close relationship with anyone in the group.

The ACSC also explained that such meetings are standard practice for regional law enforcement cooperation and urged the public not to spread misinformation that could damage the reputation of officers involved in high-profile crackdowns on cybercrime.