Frenchman in alleged extortion case: Four Bangkok policemen suspended

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A national police spokesman has said that four officers at Bangkok's notorious Thong Lo police station have been suspended. 

 

They are caught up in the ongoing inquiry into allegations made by a Frenchman that he was extorted out of $8,000 or 250,000 baht. 

 

Jean S. said earlier that he had been shaken down and made to undress in a drug bust in the street. 

 

He had no drugs and though a blood test showed traces of marijuana this was later shown to be from legal medicine he was taking which was confirmed by a doctor's report. 

 

However, he had arranged through a Thai/Indian friend and his girlfriend to pay for his quick release. 

 

Now national RTP spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said that following a committee set up by Region 5 commander of the metropolitan police Pol Maj-Gen Samart Srisiriwiboonchai, four officers at Thong Lo have been suspended. 

 

They will face serious disciplinary procedures. This may result in expulsion from the force and even criminal prosecution. 

 

Others mixed up in the case are also being investigated. 

 

Pol Col Krissana mentioned precedents for such action in continuing nationwide drives by RTP chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda to rid the Thai police of corruption.

 

The Thong Lo station has become notorious in recent years for alleged cases of shaking down tourists in their jurisdiction. 

 

The Frenchman in this case is a businessman in Thailand though he was described as a tourist in this report. 

 

Source: Daily News

 

 

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and even criminal prosecution? Um, why is that even a thought? They are dam police and should be made an example of. Firing squad I reckon and that will bring back the tourists.

I have also been extorted by the police on many occasions but just small amounts of money. I make formal complaints about every single one but so far only a couple have been transfered, thats it. Absolute disgrace.

Good to see the truth come out though. Was pretty obvious police were involved.

Throw the book at these coppers, just low scum. Also get on with clearing the corruption in some other areas. Well I guess I can dream.????

Might be a step forward. Instead of blaming the farang for every incident look to the source of the problem. Good for Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.

Lots of talk but the proof will be if anything is done.  The "transferred to inactive post (while still getting paid)" punishment is just a sham.  I ain't holding my breath on this one.

They will face serious disciplinary procedures. This may result in expulsion from the force and even criminal prosecution

 

Or the famous inactive post at the accounts department as a severe punishment where they have to just look the money but cant touch it???? 

But, but, but hadn't the Frenchman agreed that the cops hadn't scammed him and it was his friend and the friends gf ????

2 hours ago, lensta said:

But, but, but hadn't the Frenchman agreed that the cops hadn't scammed him and it was his friend and the friends gf ????

asking for $8,000 for his quick release alone is corruption

3 hours ago, lensta said:

But, but, but hadn't the Frenchman agreed that the cops hadn't scammed him and it was his friend and the friends gf ????

 

But he was seemingly stripped searched in the street and then taken to the station.

 

Maybe his Thai Indian friend and gf nicked it first?

 

Whatever, good to see the police investigating it thoroughly and taken action.

Clean up corruption in the police force ? 5555

Soi Cowboy must be a great big breadwinner for the Thonglor Constabulory 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Pol Col Krissana mentioned precedents for such action in continuing nationwide drives by RTP chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda to rid the Thai police of corruption.

????????????????????

No Defense for the Police.... But:

When a person has to Buy a Police Job

The better the Position / Bribes the More Expensive

Pay for his Own Uniforms - Radios, and Equipment

Find a way to Pay for all these Job Expenses

Expected to Participate in Brown Envelopes and Bogus Traffic Checks to earn money for the Station and Bosses

Etc., Etc.

There is a Bigger Problem in the Thai Government and Police Department than a few rogue coppers.

I know how corrupt they are... cannot be bothered to do their job

 

my ex and lawyer paid 5 for a house visit in an attempt to arrest my mother while visiting... for staying in the house I live with my child by court divorce agreement

 

no money, no cop interested

 

 

... to rid the Thai police of corruption ...

 

will they dissolve the police force?  The purpose of the Thai police is to develop and promote best practice in corruption.  That is why it has a branch in every ministry.  

 

Ask any low ranking policeman why he joined the force and he will tell you it is to make money.

 

If they want to be credible they should start by banning all personnel including the head o the police from working in other businesses.  The head of the Thai police when asked why he had not done something or other replied that he was too busy  with his real businesses to pay much attention to police issues. 

55 minutes ago, KenKadz said:

No Defense for the Police.... But:

When a person has to Buy a Police Job

The better the Position / Bribes the More Expensive

Pay for his Own Uniforms - Radios, and Equipment

Find a way to Pay for all these Job Expenses

Expected to Participate in Brown Envelopes and Bogus Traffic Checks to earn money for the Station and Bosses

Etc., Etc.

There is a Bigger Problem in the Thai Government and Police Department than a few rogue coppers.

 

Well, they don't have to take the job. They could get a job where they don't have to buy their way in, pay for their own uniform, radio or equipment, get involved with brown envelopes. Not too difficult really. They do so to reap the financial benefits and to get a pension. So don't feel too sorry for them.

He has stood his ground and plucked them over.

 

Well done Frenchman...

The police makes so much money. In Chiang Mai nearly all bars and restaurants have to pay them monthly. Clubs they are open after midnight also have to pay extra up to 100k Baht per month, because official closing time is midnight. Also the couple of B2B massages pay a fortune to them. No wonder that the high policemen live in expensive houses.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

They will face serious disciplinary procedures. This may result in expulsion from the force and even criminal prosecution. 

Astonishing, they try to extort money but only a "may" face disciplinary actions?

1 hour ago, thequietman said:

????????????????????

How many years has he been national police chief?

 

How many of those same years having Thong Lor police been shaking down and extorting foreigners?

 

When was the last time anyone can recall a crooked policeman here being criminal prosecuted for extorting a foreigner?

 

The answers to the above questions pretty much tell you what's going to happen in this case when all the dust settles.

 

Take your pick as to what is the "truth" for the day...

 

 

The police were just doing their job and they got busted. We are all conditioned to pretend not to know the truth behind policing in the 21st century. Their really is no money or political reward in policeing violent crime and fraud. All the money and political reward for policing is in drugs and corruption. This is pretty much universal around the world.

12 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

How many years has he been national police chief?

 

How many of those same years having Thong Lor police been shaking down and extorting foreigners?

 

When was the last time anyone can recall a crooked policeman here being criminal prosecuted for extorting a foreigner?

 

The answers to the above questions pretty much tell you what's going to happen in this case when all the dust settles.

 

I wish the press would follow this case and ask again in a couple of months what happened with these policemen.

11 minutes ago, Winky Wilson said:

All the money and political reward for policing is in drugs and corruption. This is pretty much universal around the world.

No idea where you come from, but in most western countries it´s not usual. It happens everywhere for sure, but from a very small minority.

16 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Take your pick as to what is the "truth" for the day...

 

 

 

Because at the time, the facts on the ground were different. He couldn't prove it, so said he couldn't prove it.

But it seems some facts came to light.

Perhaps the money didn't move upwards...who knows?

 

Hopefully he gets his money back....and more.

A

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The Frenchman in this case is a businessman in Thailand though he was described as a tourist in this report. 

Incredible. As soon as I saw the photo of the victim (above) I could see that he was a businessman. The back-to-front cap, Tee shirt and tattoos are a dead giveaway.....

If  those 2 in the inset photo on page one are cops then I'm a monkey's uncle, they look more Gangsta than Gangsta's ???? 

 

I wish the Frenchman all the best but perhaps he would be best moving away and keeping a very low profile, I see a sh!t storm coming his way.

Its the Pissing in a cup in a public street scam revival.

thank god for technology, most notably the ability to record videos, 95% of us would have left the country or be in jail now if it wasn't for it

40 minutes ago, CNXexpat said:

I wish the press would follow this case and ask again in a couple of months what happened with these policemen.

 In all likelihood, they won't. Such things usually fade away with no media report on the ultimate resolution.

Which you think is a better business The Monks or the Cops TIT