Corrupt policeman refused arrest insisting that he was innocent of abduction and extortion claims

[webfact]

Scenes outside Bang Na Police Station last Saturday as police escorted Police Major Kom Rodphao to a hearing before the Phra Khanong Criminal Court where he was later ordered kept in custody as a probe into the case against him concerning the March 10th abduction of a husband and wife in the Udomsuk area of Bangkok proceeds. The couple were detained by 15 well-built men including Police Major Kom and a subordinate officer, Police Corporal Abhisit Chasanthia, in an operation to collect a debt for an illegal online gambling site. On Saturday, there were two disturbances outside the police station as Police Major Kom insisted on making his own way to the court even after he had been ordered detained by the police superintendent of the station. Despite the scenes, he was subsequently taken to court by police van.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

This latest case has seen two police officers held in detention by the Phra Khanong Criminal Court until April 13th next and comes after public revulsion and anger last year over the Ferrari Joe case and several other incidents which have undermined confidence in the force and raised disturbing questions about the nature and extent of police corruption.

 

On Saturday last, there was a powerful image outside Bang Na police station as police officers grappled with one of their own, a senior officer with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau who was ordered to be detained after it emerged that he was involved with the illegal abduction, detention and extortion of a husband and wife in early March. The police colonel refused to be held in arrest and taken to court by police officers insisting that he had a legal right to appear unescorted as he denied all the charges against him.

 

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His detention had already been ordered by the station chief. The man was among a gang of 15 who forcefully attempted to collect a debt from the couple on behalf of an illegal gambling site in a harrowing nine-hour ordeal. The case raises deep and unsettling questions about police corruption and has been met since last weekend with decisive police action both to discipline and prosecute the police officers involved and all concerned with the outrage. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/04/05/corrupt-policeman-refused-arrest-on-charges/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-04-06

 

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[smedly]

I have big power - do you know who I am 

 

absolute disgrace - rot in jail

[spidermike007]

Even just the term corrupt policeman, when referring to the RTP, is like saying a dog with paws, or a cat with fur. 

 

He was likely shocked. Hold on. I am RTP. I am supposed to be above the law. You arresting me? Huh? They told me that would never happen. 

[Gottfrid]

And they only had to say Kom Now! And he would not resist. ????

[RichardColeman]

57 minutes ago, smedly said:

absolute disgrace - rot in jail

Policeman in jail ? What makes you think he'd get time to 'rot'  ?

[Hayduke]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The case raises deep and unsettling questions about police corruption

 

Don't worry Major Kom…...you can re-establish your professional honesty, integrity, and incorruptibility by simply bribing the right people.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by Hayduke

[ezzra]

"Refused arrest insisting that he was innocent of abduction and extortion claims"

did any one expected them to say otherwise?...

[pokerface1]

It's about time they dropped the ROYAL off the RTP it's an insult to the crown

[jacko45k]

Perhaps they mean resisted arrest, rather than 'refused'.......

Rather a good example of how they believe they are above the law!

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

and several other incidents which have undermined confidence in the force and raised disturbing questions about the nature and extent of police corruption.

I think we all have a shrewd idea... 

[wombat]

Like old mate says.

The only disgrace is being caught.

[wombat]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

"Refused arrest insisting that he was innocent of abduction and extortion claims"

did any one expected them to say otherwise?...

Maybe he belongs to the jails are full of innocent people party?

[mikebell]

Is this the thin end of the wedge?  A sign that Thailand is moving towards becoming a civilised country with a proper police force answerable to the courts or just a flash in the pan?

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

incidents which have undermined confidence in the force

incidents which have reinforced the public's opinion on the RTP

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

including Police Major Kom

The police colonel refused

that was a fast-tracked promotion!

[Paul Henry]

Fifteen police to collect a debt? All well trained and versed in the law. Who was minding the station while these officers are out moonlighting under instructions from their boss. Well I guess a husband and wife would be a formidable task for these officers.

[Will B Good]

What's the fuss? It's not like he used any plastic bags, no one died.....Jeez, get off his back.

[dallen52]

Its everywhere. 

Pay for promotion. 

Based on station earnings. 

Bike taxis, in the book.

Local shops on protection. 

Gold shops especially. 

Immi officers TM30 residential paper, 300 baht, some 500.

Suppose to be free.

Payment of petrol money to get police attention at night time.

The list is never-ending. 

 

[dallen52]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

Is this the thin end of the wedge?  A sign that Thailand is moving towards becoming a civilised country with a proper police force answerable to the courts or just a flash in the pan?

 

[Pedrogaz]

4 hours ago, Hayduke said:

 

Don't worry Major Kom…...you can re-establish your professional honesty, integrity, and incorruptibility by simply bribing the right people.

 

 

 

 

Or being transferred to an inactive post for 6 months.

[zyphodb]

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

Is this the thin end of the wedge?  A sign that Thailand is moving towards becoming a civilised country with a proper police force answerable to the courts or just a flash in the pan?

A flash in the pan...

[Whale]

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

Is this ......  A sign that Thailand is moving towards becoming a civilised country with a proper police force answerable to the courts or just a flash in the pan?

I think we all know the answer to that already. 

[herfiehandbag]

Ground control to Major Krom...

[hughrection]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The police colonel refused to be held in arrest and taken to court by police officers insisting that he had a legal right to appear unescorted as he denied all the charges against him.

"But, but, but .......... I'm a cop.  ????

 

[hughrection]

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

Is this the thin end of the wedge?  A sign that Thailand is moving towards becoming a civilised country with a proper police force answerable to the courts

Nope.

[Grusa]

1 hour ago, Paul Henry said:

Fifteen police to collect a debt? All well trained and versed in the law. Who was minding the station while these officers are out moonlighting under instructions from their boss. Well I guess a husband and wife would be a formidable task for these officers.

Someone needs to carry the stack of plastic bags......................

[Pouatchee]

All he will have to do is follow a 6 hour corruption awareness video class so that he can be fully reinstated.

[gilamonster]

GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR KOM! 

 

KICK UP MORE MONEY IN THE FUTURE.

 

[Misterwhisper]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

the Ferrari Joe case and several other incidents which have undermined confidence in the force

With all due respect, has there EVER been a time when "confidence in the force" was NOT "undermined" by the routine misconduct and lawbreaking of a large proportion of its members? I've been digging into my memories of the last 30 years and tried to identify a particular time period when the RTP actually DID enjoy confidence and trust. I failed. When something doesn't exist it cannot be "undermined".  

[Mywayboy]

He didnt share the takings with the right people.

Never seen a Police Force like if anywhere in the civilized world ,not that Thailand is civilized. 

[RafPinto]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Police Major Kom Rodphao to a hearing before the Phra Khanong Criminal Court

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The police colonel refused to be held in arrest and taken to court

What now?
Major or colonel?