Chiang Mai officer held over alleged Chinese extortion

META DESCRIPTION:

Picture courtesy of Daily News

An acting police lieutenant colonel attached to Provincial Police Region 5's Special Operations Division has been arrested with three civilian associates over the alleged abduction and extortion of a Chinese man in Chiang Mai.

The 57-year-old officer, who serves as an inspector in the division, was detained by San Kamphaeng police investigators after the Chinese victim reported the matter to police and the Chinese embassy.

Arrest warrants and allegations

Chiang Mai Provincial Police commander Pol Maj Gen Yutthana Kaenchandra was informed of the arrests by Pol Col Suramont Chalermchan, superintendent of San Kamphaeng Police Station, on 15 September.

The officer was wanted under warrant No. 118/2569, issued by the Region 5 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on 2 September 2026.

He is accused of improperly using his official position to coerce or induce someone to give or obtain property or another benefit for himself or others. The allegations also include improperly carrying out, or failing to carry out, duties in a way that caused damage to another person, or acting dishonestly.

Three civilians were arrested on separate warrants issued by the same court on 2 September 2026. They were named as Seksak, 28, Narakorn, 39, and Siriphob, 38.

They are accused of supporting an official in the alleged misuse of authority, coercion or inducement to obtain property or benefits, and alleged misconduct or dishonest dereliction of duty.

Claims stem from Chiang Mai night venue

Police said the case dates to late August, when the officer and the three civilians were reportedly gathering information about suspected drug-trafficking groups at entertainment venues.

They allegedly encountered the Chinese man at a venue in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai, asked him to leave the premises and took more than 200,000 baht from him.

Afterwards, the man filed a complaint with investigators at San Kamphaeng Police Station and also contacted the Chinese embassy. Police said they gathered evidence before making the arrests of all four suspects.

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17 September 2026