The operation was led by deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 8 Pol Col Wisan Panmanee. A 150-strong combined force from Talat Phlu, Bang Yi Rua and Samre police stations and soldiers from Surasi army camp in Kanchanaburi took part in the operation, supported by paramedic volunteers from the Por Tek Tung Foundation. They started moving in to make their arrests at 2am.