Six Thai police officers indicted for extorting money from Taiwanese actress

[snoop1130]

 

Six police officers attached to Bangkok’s Huai Khwang police station, accused of extorting money from a Taiwanese actress in exchange for dropping a charge of possessing an e-cigarette were, today (Friday), indicted by public prosecutors in the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.

 

The first pre-trial hearing is set for April 18th, according to Kosonlavat Intujunyong, deputy spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General.

 

He said that the six police officers have been charged with demanding and taking bribes, in violation of Section 149 of the Criminal Code, offences which carry a jail term from 5 years to life or the death penalty and a fine of 100,000-400,000 baht. He added that the 27,000 baht bribe was confiscated.

 

The police claimed they found an e-cigarette in the actress’s possession and threatened to charge her with illegal possession, unless she paid them a 27,000 baht bribe. The money was later paid by her boyfriend.

 

Upon her return to Taiwan, she posted details of the incident on social media, sparking an uproar. An investigation was launched by the Royal Thai Police, resulting in the transfer of the six police officers.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/six-thai-police-officers-indicted-for-extorting-money-from-taiwanese-actress/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-03-31

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[trainman34014]

Just lately it looks like they are getting real with bad Policemen.   Long may it last !

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Well, lately, when it rains, it pours around these parts....

 

I think I've seen more police criminal indictments and prosecutions in the past month around here than I can recall in all of the 15 or so years I've lived here.

 

Of course, even if these guys are convicted as were the other half dozen just in the past day or so involved in the police housing project skimming, that doesn't necessarily mean the accused/convicted will really end up doing the prison time they're supposedly sentenced to.

 

Thailand's criminal justice system seems to often work in wild and wacky ways... Still waiting for the Red Bull heir to be arrested....

 

[RandiRona]

I think they are getting punished as they got caught rather than what they did. I am sure they thought of that Taiwan actress of Bar girl or something and now paying the price.

[brommers]

Six down 500001 to go. 

[spidermike007]

Their biggest mistake was not the shakedown. It was getting caught. The joke takes offense at any cop who gets caught. It is not corruption he is fighting, but rather bad PR. 

[jaywalker]

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Their biggest mistake was not the shakedown. It was getting caught. The joke takes offense at any cop who gets caught. It is not corruption he is fighting, but rather bad PR. 

If they're not cheating, they're not trying.

 

If the get caught cheating, well, they just aren't trying hard enough.

[smedly]

Tip of the iceburg ............ you can trust my officers he said 

 

 

can we have a vote on the most corrupt in Thailand 

 

where to start ?????????

[smedly]

3 minutes ago, smedly said:

Tip of the iceburg ............ you can trust my officers he said 

 

 

can we have a vote on the most corrupt in Thailand 

 

where to start ?????????

The ACC need more manpower - there is no way any agency can ever get on top of corruption in Thailand - they need to follow the example of Malaysia, stiff penalties ............start with unusal wealth, how many does that apply to - follow the money anti corruption 101

[harleyclarkey]

What a stupid charge in the first place. 

What flea brain dreamt up this law? 

[Stevemercer]

It would help if more people complained when exhorted by the police, but of course there is no protection for whistle blowers in Thailand. It is ony safe to complain if you are a citizen of another country and only when you are safely home (and never intend to visit Thailad again).

[Jack West Jr]

Don't incarcerate them , throw them off the force instead . Extorting the public is unforgivable for the police . More kudos to the lady for making this public . 

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The police claimed they found an e-cigarette in the actress’s possession and threatened to charge her with illegal possession, unless she paid them a 27,000 baht bribe. The money was later paid by her boyfriend.

 

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He said that the six police officers have been charged with demanding and taking bribes, in violation of Section 149 of the Criminal Code, offences which carry a jail term from 5 years to life or the death penalty and a fine of 100,000-400,000 baht. He added that the 27,000 baht bribe was confiscated.

And returned to her?

[daveAustin]

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

violation of Section 149 of the Criminal Code, offences which carry a jail term from 5 years to life or the death penalty

???? ooh that’s gotta hurt. As above, everyone knows what goes on—corruption is top to bottom endemic as covid. Their getting found out and subsequent loss of face is the big issue here. 

[hotchilli]

57 minutes ago, smedly said:

Tip of the iceburg ............ you can trust my officers he said 

 

 

can we have a vote on the most corrupt in Thailand 

 

where to start ?????????

The whole force is a ponzi scheme, pure and simple.

[soalbundy]

I think it is too easy to point the finger at underpaid policemen when in reality the whole system is rotten. The average policeman can't live from his wage alone and so has to make a few thousand on the side while his superiors makes a hundred thousand from corruption and their top dogs make millions. Those figures change to billions for top politicians. There are very few checks and balances and any honest cop, judge, or politician will suffer persecution from his corrupt seniors for upsetting the apple cart.

In the USA corruption in the police force was brought under control after the prohibition by raising the police wages, in the UK the amount of wrong doing by the metropolitan police is just being uncovered so this isn't a just a Thai/Asian problem, it is a world wide systemic affordability problem, poor training, low IQ, poor moral in the police as a reflection of societies that value money above all.

Corruption will never be stopped completely unless the root causes are put right and we get a few enlightened leaders in all segments of society who can serve as good examples but I can't name one country where this is happening.

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm….. soooo sad, nemmer mind?

[BestB]

So to clarify , the correct course of action was to charge her? Take her to court? 
this would of been less damaging ?

[RichardColeman]

9 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

offences which carry a jail term from 5 years to life or the death penalty

I'm all for the death penalty, by Death seems a bit harsh for a 27,000 shakedown. 

[sammieuk1]

Its now so serious they can't play good cop/ bad cop in the interrogation room anymore just rank or rancid ????

[ChrisY1]

10 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

Just lately it looks like they are getting real with bad Policemen.   Long may it last !

Looks can be deceiving:))

[NORDO]

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

I think it is too easy to point the finger at underpaid policemen when in reality the whole system is rotten. The average policeman can't live from his wage alone and so has to make a few thousand on the side while his superiors makes a hundred thousand from corruption and their top dogs make millions. Those figures change to billions for top politicians. There are very few checks and balances and any honest cop, judge, or politician will suffer persecution from his corrupt seniors for upsetting the apple cart.

In the USA corruption in the police force was brought under control after the prohibition by raising the police wages, in the UK the amount of wrong doing by the metropolitan police is just being uncovered so this isn't a just a Thai/Asian problem, it is a world wide systemic affordability problem, poor training, low IQ, poor moral in the police as a reflection of societies that value money above all.

Corruption will never be stopped completely unless the root causes are put right and we get a few enlightened leaders in all segments of society who can serve as good examples but I can't name one country where this is happening.

Agreed.   If they were paid a livable wage with good bennies, then the corruption would decrease.   It would never completely stop, but fewer bobbies would be on the take.

[baipaibkk]

They will be transferred until the next incident. This is the Thai system. No problem for a Thai Police Officer

[Elkski]

15 minutes ago, NORDO said:

Agreed.   If they were paid a livable wage with good bennies, then the corruption would decrease.   It would never completely stop, but fewer bobbies would be on the take.

Who would pay for this?  

[Bangkok Barry]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He said that the six police officers have been charged with demanding and taking bribes, in violation of Section 149 of the Criminal Code, offences which carry a jail term from 5 years to life or the death penalty

The death penalty for being involved with bribery. Really?

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, smedly said:

The ACC need more manpower - there is no way any agency can ever get on top of corruption in Thailand

Wasn't the head of the Thailand Anti-Corruption Office charged with corruption? There really is no hope.

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

The average policeman can't live from his wage alone

So, get another job which pays better. They don't, because being in a tight brown uniform entitles them to 'bonus payments'.

[paddypower]

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

I think it is too easy to point the finger at underpaid policemen when in reality the whole system is rotten. The average policeman can't live from his wage alone and so has to make a few thousand on the side while his superiors makes a hundred thousand from corruption and their top dogs make millions. Those figures change to billions for top politicians. There are very few checks and balances and any honest cop, judge, or politician will suffer persecution from his corrupt seniors for upsetting the apple cart.

In the USA corruption in the police force was brought under control after the prohibition by raising the police wages, in the UK the amount of wrong doing by the metropolitan police is just being uncovered so this isn't a just a Thai/Asian problem, it is a world wide systemic affordability problem, poor training, low IQ, poor moral in the police as a reflection of societies that value money above all.

Corruption will never be stopped completely unless the root causes are put right and we get a few enlightened leaders in all segments of society who can serve as good examples but I can't name one country where this is happening.

sure - aren't you foregetting about the Garda ? 

[Ginner]

11 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

Just lately it looks like they are getting real with bad Policemen.   Long may it last !

I think most police officers will be voting for Thaksin's daughter in May. At least then they can go back to the same old routine. Ha! This is only because she has pull .

 

[Frankie baby]

When they originally extorted the money how did they come up with the sum of 27000 Baht. You would have thought they would have made it a round 30000. Or was this the total amount that could be had at that particular time.