Unjust arrest sparks outrage over police corruption in Thailand

[webfact]

A 50 year old Thai man aired his grievances about police corruption after being unjustly arrested for illegal possession of a gun that was not his. The police demanded a 50,000 baht bail fee, which was eventually negotiated to 20,000 baht, in exchange for his release.

 

The victim, Piboon Tanthai, claimed that someone had left the gun at his house just before the police raided his home today.

 

The event unravelled in Phatthalung Province, where Piboon lives. The police, without a search warrant, barged into his residence and found a long-barrelled gun in a fertiliser sack on the premises. Piboon was then taken into custody for further investigation at a police station in Phatthalung.

 

The charges of illegal possession of firearms were levelled against Piboon, who spent over three hours in the interrogation room. He revealed that during the questioning, the police discussed a sum of 50,000 baht to clear the case without proceeding with the charges.

 

Piboon, unable to afford the amount, negotiated it down to 20,000 baht. He then contacted his wife to borrow the money to pay the police investigators.

 

by Nattapong Westwood

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-12

 

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[keith101]

I know nothing about Thai Law but asking someone for x amount of money to clear themselves of a charge to me sounds more like corruption than bail where you are released to appear in court at a later date

[NoDisplayName]

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

The victim, Piboon Tanthai, claimed that someone had left the gun at his house just before the police raided his home today.

 

Dat's not mine!

I dindunuffin!

[Smokey and the Bandit]

1 hour ago, keith101 said:

I know nothing about Thai Law but asking someone for x amount of money to clear themselves of a charge to me sounds more like corruption than bail where you are released to appear in court at a later date

"He revealed that during the questioning, the police discussed a sum of 50,000 baht to clear the case without proceeding with the charges."

That sentence from the article, means they are not asking for 'bail money', but BRIBE MONEY!

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The charges of illegal possession of firearms were levelled against Piboon, who spent over three hours in the interrogation room. He revealed that during the questioning, the police discussed a sum of 50,000 baht to clear the case without proceeding with the charges

So this wasn't about bail money that should be set by a court.

This was blatant corruption.. pay us and we drop the case.

[Scott Tracy]

2 hours ago, keith101 said:

I know nothing about Thai Law but asking someone for x amount of money to clear themselves of a charge to me sounds more like corruption than bail where you are released to appear in court at a later date

Pay to the police or pay to  a regulator, what difference? Deferred prosecutions are standard practise in the US and UK.

 

Pay a 'fine', nothing else to see......

[timendres]

2 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

Pay to the police or pay to  a regulator, what difference? Deferred prosecutions are standard practise in the US and UK.

 

I do not know of any "pay to the police" option in the US that is anything short of illegal.

[Scott Tracy]

6 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

So this wasn't about bail money that should be set by a court.

This was blatant corruption.. pay us and we drop the case.

Never heard of police bail?

[Scott Tracy]

3 minutes ago, timendres said:

I do not know of any "pay to the police" option in the US that is anything short of illegal.

The point being made was that:

 

8 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

but asking someone for x amount of money to clear themselves of a charge to me sounds more like corruption than bail where you are released to appear in court at a later date

 

Happens all the time. Police, being those with the power of arrest and/or power of prosecution. SEC, DOJ, on the spot fines...

[timendres]

1 minute ago, Scott Tracy said:

Happens all the time. Police, being those with the power of arrest and/or power of prosecution. SEC, DOJ, on the spot fines...

 

US police have no "power of prosecution". None.

SEC is a regulatory agency. Hence, it can negotiate fines for breaking regulations.

But anything that is criminal must be handed to a court of law.

And there is no "on the spot" fines that are not illegal.

 

This is why I inform friends that in the US you shut up until you have an attorney, but in Thailand you want to avoid getting to the attorney stage.

In the US, you want to pursue justice in a court. In Thailand, you want to avoid ever going to court.

[hotchilli]

20 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

Never heard of police bail?

NO

[IAMHERE]

Interesting timing on the part of the police. 'Someone', I suspect set this guy up.

[chickenslegs]

Chee Games leaves a firearm at the house. A short time later the police arrive, without a warrant, and discover the firearm.

Definitely has the sniff of a sting.

 

[TheFishman1]

Police, demanding bail Money is just another word for corruption TIT

[rct99q]

Next week's headline news, local man unable to pay loan sharks back money borrowed for bail. Wishes he had "friends" gun back!

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, timendres said:

2 hours ago, Scott Tracy said:

Pay to the police or pay to  a regulator, what difference? Deferred prosecutions are standard practise in the US and UK.

 

I do not know of any "pay to the police" option in the US that is anything short of illegal.

 

And I don't know of any in the UK.

[Bangkok Barry]

There is a simple solution to these shakedowns. In any conversation with the police Thailand's largest criminal organisation, get your phone out and record the conversation. They once tried it on with me when I was leaving Swampy airport, saying my brand new UK passport was a fake and to follow them into a small room. I got out my phone to record, and suddenly the passport was okay after all, I wasn't worth their trouble when there were plenty of other potential 'customers' coming through. Of course, they might threaten you and it could get nasty, but it's worth a try.

[sammieuk1]

The big jester is going to be busy again when he gets his trousers back on 🤔

[chickenslegs]

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

And I don't know of any in the UK.

Correct.

In the UK the police can require someone to act as surety before allowing bail to an uncharged person. No money changes hands, but the person acting as surety can be required to pay the agreed sum if the suspect does not surrender to bail or breaches the conditions of bail.

 

[still kicking]

41 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Correct.

In the UK the police can require someone to act as surety before allowing bail to an uncharged person. No money changes hands, but the person acting as surety can be required to pay the agreed sum if the suspect does not surrender to bail or breaches the conditions of bail.

 

Same in Australia.

[SAFETY FIRST]

On 12/12/2023 at 11:27 AM, webfact said:

The victim, Piboon Tanthai, claimed that someone had left the gun at his house just before the police raided his home today

Happens often at my house to. 😂

I find guns everywhere, the owners come back the next day or two to pick their guns up. 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by SAFETY FIRST