Thailand's Forex-3D Scam: 49,110-Year Sentences, Pinky Acquitted

On August 13, 2026, Thailand's Criminal Court delivered a verdict in the high-profile Forex-3D investment fraud case.

Five defendants, including former Forex-3D executive Apiruk Kothi, were convicted and sentenced to 49,110 years in prison each. However, under Thai law, the actual prison term is capped at 20 years. They were also ordered to jointly pay 4.911 billion baht in compensation, plus 7.5% annual interest.

The Forex-3D scheme operated from 2015 to 2020 and attracted nearly 10,000 investors. It promised annual returns of 60–80%, guaranteed profits, and full principal protection. Authorities alleged that investors' money was not used for genuine forex trading, resulting in losses of more than 2.48 billion baht.

In contrast, actress Savika “Pinky” Chaiyadej, her mother, and her brother were among 17 defendants acquitted. The court found insufficient evidence that they had participated in managing or operating the scheme. Pinky maintained that she was also an investor and had lost more than 10 million baht.

The verdict highlights the distinction between those who operated the alleged scheme and those who were simply investors or associated with it. While the compensation order offers hope to victims, recovering billions of baht from the convicted defendants may still prove difficult.