High-profile online gambling case sees 8 police officers reassigned

[webfact]

 

A high-profile online gambling case involving Suchanun Minnie Sucharitchinsri has led to the temporary reassignment of eight linked officers. National Police Chief Torsak Sukvimol sanctioned the move to prevent any potential interference with the ongoing investigation.

 

A spokesman for the police, Siriwat Deepo revealed that the order for the transfer was signed by Torsak yesterday, February 24. The transferred officers will be relocated to the Royal Thai Police’s central office, and replacements will be assigned for the duration of the investigation.

 

The affected officers include Namkiat Theerarotjanaphong from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Phakphum Phitsamai, Deputy Commander of Investigation of Provincial Police Region 4, and Khemarin Pisamai, Chief of Chanthaburi Immigration Police.

Others are Aris Kuprasertrat, Immigration Chief of Chachoengsao, Kharit Priyakate, Deputy Superintendent of Crime Suppression at Phra Samut Chedi station, Chanont Aumthon, Crime Suppression Inspector at Phra Pradaeng station, Nattawut Watwaew, Patrol Group Commander at the Police Traffic Division, and Apisit Khonyong, Investigation Division Commander at Mueang Chachoengsao station, reported Bangkok Post.

Reports had been received by the Royal Thai Police (RTP), alleging that the eight officers demonstrated inappropriate behaviour towards those aiding the investigation, and had potentially interfered with the ongoing probe. The RTP invoked its authority under Sections 63 and 105 of the Royal Thai Police Act, amongst other regulations, to enact the transfers and bolster the internal affairs department.

 

In response, the eight implicated officers have petitioned Torsak to move the case from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau to the Department of Special Investigation. They argue that the Department of Special Investigation would provide a more equitable environment.

In related news, Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, Deputy National Police Chief, refuted allegations of his involvement with online gambling networks.

 

Despite the rumours that have been swirling since early this week, Big Joke clarified that no formal charges have been brought against him following the widely publicised house search conducted last year. Furthermore, he noted that only eight individuals, some of whom are his subordinates, have had their cases forwarded to prosecutors.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-26

 

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[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

A high-profile online gambling case involving Suchanun Minnie Sucharitchinsri has led to the temporary reassignment of eight linked officers. National Police Chief Torsak Sukvimol sanctioned the move to prevent any potential interference with the ongoing investigation.

Re-assigned not sacked?

[Tequila makes me happy]

35 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Re-assigned not sacked?

To be fair, in a Western country they would be put on administrative leave which would be full pay while sitting at home.

[brianthainess]

The whole RTP is just one big joke, corrupt to the very core. 

[Dan O]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Re-assigned not sacked?

Normal reaction in these situations until the story evaporates into thin air. Salaries and pensions stay active 

Edited February 26 by Dan O
Spelling

[ChrisY1]

Nice looking piece of good PR...but we all know it's just a PR stunt and nothing more. RTP operating gambling will prevail!

[new2here]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Re-assigned not sacked?

I do think that they should have the same basic right - that is to the presumption of innocence and not be sacked until their guilt is proven..

 

that said, what often concerns me here is that given how centralized governmental entities are, I think it’s hard - very hard - for a true, unbiased, independent investigation to be done.. even from a public perception basis alone, you can’t really have entity A investigate allegations of malfeasance within entity A.. and even if you call on entity B, given their rather close ties to all the other entities, I’d question if there’s sufficient independence for them to report back what they’ve found without fear or favor. 

[sherwood]

2 hours ago, Dan O said:

Normal reaction in these situations until the story evaporates into thin air. Salaries and pensions stay active 

Yer, just another big joke, sorry.

Exterminate the son's of bitches as a lesson to the rest of the poor misguided flat footed clowns who wear that tight fitting uniform.

And while we are on the subject of atire, impound teachers with para wings on their bland baige clobber.

I love Thailand 55

 

[john donson]

unless they start to make examples of those crooks, by not only firing them, without benefits, take their pension rights away, check deeply for richness beyond their means and confiscate the lot as they do with drug dealers, and put in jail

 

nothing will ever change

[transam]

I thought suspected dodgy police were sent home with pay until stuff is sorted......🤨