THE BHURIDEJ BROTHERS - FROM THE THAI KING'S LOYAL HENCHMAN TO ASSOCIATES OF WANTED CYBER SCAMMERS
A few years ago the BBC's Thai language website ran the story of one of Thailand's best connected families - the Bhuridejs.
It seemed, at the time, somewhat incongruous for the BBC to run a story like this, given that the Bhuridej's weren't powerful politicians, billionaire businessmen or the kind of spoilt misbehaving minor aristocrats that usually feature in the Bangkok gossip columns.
The Bhuridejs were noteworthy, according to the BBC, due to their unwavering loyalty and servitude to the Thai monarchy.
The patriarch, Admiral Somphop Phuridej, was once Commander of the Third Fleet, and then became a Special Royal Guard Officer, an elite stand-alone armed praetorian style force, under the direct command of the present Thai king, Rama X/King Vajiralongkorn
Rama X holds the family in such high regard that when the family matriarch Rossukon Bhuridej died in 2017 he presided over the cremation ceremony - a significant honor and the first time any monarch had done so for a decade.
We've already alluded to the fact that Thai Police Lt. General Jirabhop "Kong" Bhuridej was on friendly terms with US sanctioned Cambodian cyber scammer and wanted criminal Rithy Raksmei (see pic above) but we've not yet mentioned the other Bhuridej brothers.
Up first is the notorious and somewhat sinister Jakrapob Bhuridej, a senior figure in Rama X's personal security detail. Described by the BBC report as "a military officer who has served His Majesty the King with unwavering loyalty" his formal position is Deputy Commander of the Royal Security Command and Commander of the Royal Guard Regiment, Royal Security Command.
His rumored and far less formal position is that as Rama X's brutal enforcer, who was not only directly involved in crushing the anti-monarchy protests in Bangkok in 2021 but that he also had a role in the disappearance and almost certain death of Thai pro-democracy activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit.
Next up is Nattapop "Kla" Bhuridej, a former assistant minister in the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva, a prime minister who presided over the crushing of the Red Shirt movement in 2010 which left over 100 protesters dead. Nattapop is, on paper, a wealthy and successful businessman yet has dubious connections via his Laos business interests that point towards sanctioned Chinese national Zhao Wei.
This linking of royal power, state power and business/wealth via the three Bhuridej brothers creates a potent and significant blend.
Yet serious questions remain as to the legality of their operations and the royal patronage they enjoy.
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