Financial Crime World

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand

A. Background

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) was established in 2002 with the primary goal of combating economic crimes and special crimes that have a negative impact on public peace and order.

Key Responsibilities

  • Crime prevention and suppression
  • Investigating specific crimes such as:
    • Financial and banking crimes
    • Intellectual property rights crimes
    • Taxation crimes
    • Consumer protection and environmental crimes
    • Technology and cyber or computer crimes
    • Corruption in government procurement
    • Other serious crimes

B. Process of Establishment

The DSI was established through the proposal of the Government, which was passed by the Parliament in 2002. The Act for Reformation of the Government Agencies and the Ministerial Regulation of the Ministry of Justice authorized the DSI to operate with administrative power.

Special Law Enacted

A special law, the Special Investigation Bill, was enacted in 2004 to authorize the detective and investigative power and other authorities of the DSI.

C. Role of the DSI

The DSI is responsible for investigating economic crimes and special crimes, including financial and banking crimes, intellectual property rights crimes, taxation crimes, consumer protection and environmental crimes, technology and cyber or computer crimes, corruption in government procurement, and other serious crimes that have a negative impact on public peace and order.

D. Difference Between Roles of Police and DSI

The Government and Parliament intend to entrust the DSI with the power to investigate serious, complicated, and sophisticated crimes, particularly economic crimes or white-collar crimes, transnational and organized crimes; while the police have the power to maintain peace and social order and investigate street crimes.

E. Organizational Structure of the DSI

The organizational structure of the DSI is as follows:

  • Ministry of Justice
    • The Minister
    • The Permanent Secretary
    • Deputy Permanent Secretary
    • Department of Special Investigation (DSI)
      • Director General
      • Office of the Secretary
      • Office of Development and Logistics
      • Office of Technology and Information
      • Office of Special Crimes
      • Office of Taxation Crimes
      • Office of Financial and Banking Crimes
      • Office of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crimes
      • Office of Intellectual Property Rights Crimes
      • Office of Consumer Protection and Environmental Crimes
      • Office of Technology and Cyber Crimes
    • Internal Audit Group
    • Dissenting Cases Group
    • Legal Counsel Group

Overall, the DSI is a specialized agency responsible for investigating and suppressing economic crimes and special crimes in Thailand.