Word Association (2024)

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Caption: Getting money for Met HQ (crossed out on whiteboard : Casinos). 

 

Former MP and massage parlour boss turned whistleblower-in-chief in Thailand, Chuwit Kamolwisit has made his most damning accusations yet about the sheer scale of RTP corruption.

 

Following a long list of revelations this time he has turned his attention to the Metropolitan Police in the Thai capital Bangkok. 

 

He claims all 88 stations have checkpoint extortion targets from the Thai public and tourists of millions of baht each month.

 

The money goes into a central fund for sharing out later. It's 324 million baht a month (that's about US $10 million).

 

It's a completely organised racket and has started since Pol Lt-Gen Thiti Saengsawang took over at the met late last year, claimed the firebrand Chuwit.

 

The reason for the new extortion system is because the police's revenue stream from casinos has dried up after crackdowns ordered from above on gambling, he said.

 

Chuwit was regaling the massed ranks of the press from the Davis Hotel in Klong Toey, downtown Bangkok, yesterday. 

 

Also at the conference was Singaporean "Mr Sky" the man who was with the Taiwanese actress whose group was extorted out of 27,000 baht in January - a case that has thrusted the issue of RTP corruption into a huge national spotlight. 

 

More on that later in this report with additional reporting from the ASEAN NOW news team.

 

Thai Rath reported that the new central fund at met HQ has been organised since Thiti took over.

 

This man is known as "Nor 1" or Big Jao in the media. 

 

Chuwit said that it was wrong to suggest that money extorted from the public or tourists went into individual policemen's pockets at checkpoints. 

 

Not a bit of it; it was part of an organised racket that began after casinos were targeted and some were shut down. Prior to Thiti's time these provided the met police with plenty of pickings.

 

Chuwit used the term "Nai" meaning mister in Thai. It was clear he was referring to a top cop.

Here's how the racket works:

 

Each of the 88 police stations in Bangkok has a target of fleecing the public and tourists of 100,000 baht a day or 3 million baht a month.

 

That's 264 million baht a month for the fund.

 

Secondly there are contributions from checkpoints set up by the traffic police. There are 20 of these.

 

The traffic cops must also contribute 100,000 baht a day at each checkpoint making a further 2 million baht a day.

 

That's 60 million baht a month. 

 

This brings the total to 324 million baht a month. Chuwit was not quoted as saying how this was shared out exactly.

 

But he said that there are rates for the extortion - Thai Rath even had an infographic with the details. 

 

Graphic: Thai Rath

 

The rates to be let off certain crimes are:

 

Driving under the influence of alcohol: 30,000 baht.

 

Having a purple urine test (indicating drug use): 100,000 baht.

 

Being in possession of drugs: 300,000 to 500,000 baht.

 

Having an E-cigarette device: 30,000 baht.

 

Also in the infographic was:

 

Being caught with a weapon: 30,000 to 50,000 baht

 

Contravening "black smoke" emissions laws: 10,000 baht.

 

Chuwit called on the Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha to get serious and end the extortion rackets now.

 

He warned the prime minister that if he didn't he would be providing more revelations.

 

It was clear that Chuwit has even more specifics up his sleeve. 

 

ASEAN NOW notes that Chuwit's credibility has risen greatly. He was always a go-to figure for the Thai press but his allegations about "grey Chinese" mafia figures have proved spot on. He has been praised by RTP deputy and poster boy cop Pol Lt-Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakpan among others.

 

Many see former immigration chief Big Joke as a shining light in a sea of RTP corruption, not just in Bangkok but nationwide.

 

Since Prayuth grabbed power in 2014 his promise to end corruption in 20 years has achieved nothing, say critics. 

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Interestingly, daytime checkpoints in Bangkok to fleece motorists - and mainly motorcyclists - have virtually ceased since 2017 when the then met chief called for them to end.

 

These have switched to more insidious nighttime operations under the cover of darkness.

 

So what of Mr Sky the Singaporean who flew into Bangkok.

 

Daily News had a picture of him with Chuwit at the Davis Hotel that is owned by Chuwit.

 

Sky who was with Taiwanese actress Charlene An on January 4th alleged that police told him he had to pay up after they found  E-cigarette devices or he would have to spend two days in jail.

 

His appearance came after the RTP chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat said that police would travel to Taiwan and Singapore if necessary to clear things up in the case.

 

Chuwit trumped the RTP chief bigtime with Sky's appearance, the witness speaking mostly in Thai adding to the effect of his testimony.

 

He said their group had been to a birthday party on the night of January 3rd then he, the actress and two others took a Grab taxi to Huay Khwang. 

 

After midnight, they were stopped outside the Chinese embassy and asked for their passports but they did not have them. They were then ordered to remove their shoes. Police then found the vaping devices and said they must go to the station.

 

Sky said he had three but the actress had none.

 

Then the officers gave them a way out - pay the money and they'd let everyone go.

 

He asked the police why the devices were illegal as he had seen them on sale and being used everywhere in Thailand.

 

The cops ignored this and said it was 8,000 baht for each device plus 3,000 baht for not having their passports - 27K in total.

 

Stressed and fearing imprisonment he paid up. The cops then called a taxi for the group.

 

Sky said he bought the vaping devices at a market in Huay Khwang without knowing they were illegal. He thought they were legal like marijuana.

 

Weed was made legal last June and shops selling marijuana are everywhere in Thailand. 

 

Sky ended his damning testimony by saying that now he was aware of the Thai word for extortion.

 

This word is also "thai" but with a different spelling and tonal value, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

Amid all of yesterday's sensational revelations the fact that in English "Thai" and "thai" are associated will not be missed on those who feel that corruption in Thailand is endemic. 

 

RTP apologists online - not least of all on our own forums - who claimed that the Taiwanese actress had something to hide were shouted down at the time by the majority.

 

Now they look rather silly as Chuwit's drip drip of revelations picks up pace forcing the hand of Damrongsak and Prayuth who have nowhere to hide. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2023-02-02

 

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[proton]

I think we all know he was a former massage parlour boss by now!

[Eric Loh]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

Since Prayuth grabbed power in 2014 his promise to end corruption in 20 years has achieved nothing, say critics. 

He reneged on his promise to put police reform as his priority issue just 1 year after he grabbed power. He said categorically in 2015 that police reform would be left to the next government. No reason was given why he back pedal on his promise when pressed by reporters. His promise like he said that he will never stage a coup is worth nothing. Thailand has lost a decade under him and he should never be near to any position of power. 

[JoePai]

About time he was made PM

[Artisi]

32 minutes ago, proton said:

I think we all know he was a former massage parlour boss by now!

that's been known for years, or did you just come across that startling bit of info.?

[Orinoco]

Pants down again, Big time  R.T.P 

 

 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Orinoco

[nikmar]

42 minutes ago, JoePai said:

About time he was made PM

i was hoping he could go to the UK and manage Everton FC ????

[Artisi]

30 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

He reneged on his promise to put police reform as his priority issue just 1 year after he grabbed power. He said categorically in 2015 that police reform would be left to the next government. No reason was given why he back pedal on his promise when pressed by reporters. His promise like he said that he will never stage a coup is worth nothing. Thailand has lost a decade under him and he should never be near to any position of power. 

why would you rattle the golden goose - and in-depth review of some of these peoples finances would be interesting. But guess any large increase of funds would have come from dead friends, so all above board. 

[internationalism]

right at election time incoming.

Those radical pro-reform parties will get a few more % of voters. And a few more protesters on the streets.

The system is corrupted to the core - not just bend police stations, but the whole metropolitan police organised as a mafia

[SatEng]

15 minutes ago, internationalism said:

right at election time incoming.

Those radical pro-reform parties will get a few more % of voters. And a few more protesters on the streets.

The system is corrupted to the core - not just bend police stations, but the whole metropolitan police organised as a mafia

But any new government may not be any better in curbing police corruption, may even be worse.

Remember - Thaksin came up through the Police

 

[proton]

24 minutes ago, Artisi said:

that's been known for years, or did you just come across that startling bit of info.?

Yes been known for years, my point is that being the case why do they always have to repeat it?

[internationalism]

3 minutes ago, SatEng said:

But any new government may not be any better in curbing police corruption, may even be worse.

Remember - Thaksin came up through the Police

 

youngish voters only remember what prayuth said to justify a coup - reform of police, cut the government curruption (rice subsidies given by him as an example).

now people want reform of the whole system, including the military.

No, it can't worse than it's now. That time voters are in control of political parties policies. That is through social media pressure.

Thaksin gave people cheap mobile phones leading to smartphones - digital democracy at push of a button, share, like

[Henk Langeweg]

Do I understand it right that in the case with the Taiwanese there was no corruption? She was not even accused, only that SKY man who had the 'contraband'. He had to pay for not having his passport with him, but the others got away with that ... 

[mikeymike100]

6 minutes ago, Henk Langeweg said:

Do I understand it right that in the case with the Taiwanese there was no corruption? She was not even accused, only that SKY man who had the 'contraband'. He had to pay for not having his passport with him, but the others got away with that ... 

There most certainly was corruption. The man 'SKY' had no passport but 3 E Cigarettes bought in Thailand, which are illegal. He and the young lady, who had one E cigarette,  were threatened with jail unless they pay up? That's extortion?

There is an article in the BP which I cannot link to!

Edited February 2, 2023 by mikeymike100

[internationalism]

5 minutes ago, Henk Langeweg said:

Do I understand it right that in the case with the Taiwanese there was no corruption? She was not even accused, only that SKY man who had the 'contraband'. He had to pay for not having his passport with him, but the others got away with that ... 

they were extorted for 3k for not having passports on them.

That led to body and bag search. 

Likely those 3 vapers were for all of them (not just Sky) and the rest contributed later on to cover the total. That's why thaiwanese actress claimed she ws extorted.

Every single story I see is contradicting the previous. I am afraid nobody will ever know what exactly happened, unless recorded on smartphone/cctv

[sammieuk1]

I hope it doesn't but this story could end up with someone in a concrete barrel  at the bottom of a river, in the mean time keep up the good work its very entertaining and suggest expansion of revelations

 

For example into schools where only today a headmaster embezzled 300k from the diner budget and got caught with it still in the envelope ????  

[spidermike007]

His claims are totally believable. Except the part that the racket started only last year. This has been going on for decades. And not only are the quoted numbers ikely on the low side, this happens all over the country. It is likely way, way into the billions of baht. 

[Sweede]

Chuwit will soon "disapear", take my word for it..

[proton]

2 minutes ago, Sweede said:

Chuwit will soon "disapear", take my word for it..

I am sure he has good security

[chilli42]

I am impressed.  One honest man and a dishonest man that has impressive organizational capability.  Clearly, the right men for next Prime Minister and Deputy PM

[Al BB]

4 minutes ago, Sweede said:

Chuwit will soon "disapear", take my word for it..

Unfortunately I tend to agree...

[2baht]

Is anyone still sympathetic for lowly paid cops!

[George Aylesham]

1 minute ago, Al BB said:

Unfortunately I tend to agree...

Yes, you beat me to it - I was going to suggest he might have problems in taking out a life insurance policy.

[dallen52]

Of course they do.

Pay for positions needs a steady return on investment.

Anyone whose lived here a while knows this.

[dallen52]

2 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

There most certainly was corruption. The man 'SKY' had no passport but 3 E Cigarettes bought in Thailand, which are illegal. He and the young lady, who had one E cigarette,  were threatened with jail unless they pay up? That's extortion?

There is an article in the BP which I cannot link to!

E cigs.

Just stand outside Jomtien immigration and see officers blatantly puffing away on these things.

Two sets of rules for sure.

[Neeranam]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Former MP and massage parlour boss

'bout time you stopped referring to him as massage parlour boss.

[Neeranam]

6 minutes ago, dallen52 said:

E cigs.

Just stand outside Jomtien immigration and see officers blatantly puffing away on these things.

Two sets of rules for sure.

Take a photo, otherwise hard to believe.

[Neeranam]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Each of the 88 police stations in Bangkok has a target of fleecing the public and tourists of 100,000 baht a day or 3 million baht a month.

 

That's 264 million baht a month for the fund.

lol

Edited February 2, 2023 by Neeranam

[Iron Tongue]

I find it amusing that the most "honest" man wears dark sunglasses indoors, at night.

 

And I doubt that any Thai citizens were shocked at this "bombshell" revelation about the Bangkok police's level of corruption.

I think the only people upset about this are the police in other cities!  They now know how much more money they should be extorting per day!

[Neeranam]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Having an E-cigarette device: 30,000 baht.

So the Taiwanese former actress was given a discount! 

Confuscius said, accept the things you cannot change.

Mr Sky is a fool, coming to Thailand, he could end up dead.