Interior Ministry official disrupts police at Songkran checkpoint

[webfact]

 

A high-ranking government official from the Ministry of Interior caused a stir when he confronted and attempted to obstruct police officers at a traffic checkpoint during the Songkran Festival celebrations.

 

The incident, which took place yesterday, April 11 at around 5pm, occurred in the district of Yang Chum Noi, Sisaket Province. The man, identified as a district chief, reacted aggressively after his entourage was apprehended for drunk driving.

Amid the Songkran Festival, a period known for its increased efforts to curb traffic violations and drunk driving, a high-ranking civil servant from the Ministry of Interior found himself at the centre of a controversy.

Witnesses captured footage of the middle-aged man, dressed in a long-sleeved patterned shirt and black trousers, vocally clashing with the officers from Yang Chum Noi Police Station. The police were conducting routine checks on vehicles to enforce traffic discipline and administer breathalyzers as part of the national police’s policy to reduce accidents during the festival.

The altercation was sparked when the district chief loudly proclaimed his status as a high-ranking official and accused the police of disrespecting him. The officers replied by reminding the man that, as a senior civil servant, he should be setting a positive example.

 

The district chief, appearing inebriated and smelling of alcohol, became increasingly belligerent and pushed against one of the officers, who was quickly defended by his colleagues and other bystanders.

 

Despite the police’s attempt to arrest a member of the district chief’s party for drink driving, the official intervened, shouting at the officers and warning them not to arrest his associate. He further asserted that the police would need his approval to make purchases, such as firearms, hinting at his authority and influence.

 

The public, having witnessed the event, widely criticised the district chief’s behaviour. It was seen as highly inappropriate, especially given his role in government and the ongoing efforts to ensure public safety during the holiday period.

 

The incident has led to calls for serious legal action against the district chief by the local community, demanding that the provincial governor of Sisaket, Anupong Suksomnit, and the regional police commander, Pol. Maj. Gen. Phisanu Wathu, pursuing charges of drunk driving and obstructing police duty, reported Khaosod.

 

by Nattapong Westwood 

PHOTO VIA: cottonbro studio FROM:Pexels.com

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-13

 

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[worgeordie]

This is the problem of DUI , it's not taken seriously , this high Government official

needs to be reprimanded for his behavior , he is suppose to set an example .

 

regards Worgeordie 

[ChrisY1]

Cops are not respected anywhere....even on an important mission of policing road safety, hi-so, loud mouthed people often get waved on.....

[brianthainess]

He should have been arrested and put in a cell for assaulting a police officer, and drunk and disorderly. Let me guess the drunk driver was allowed to drive off and the car was not impounded. Shameless imagine if that had been a falang.  

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The district chief, appearing inebriated and smelling of alcohol, became increasingly belligerent and pushed against one of the officers

 

[ikke1959]

High ranked people are always thinking that theyb are above the law.. it is time that the court should punish them double as they have a function that should be sparkless instead of being a je..k ..So please judges set an example.

The Laws are for everyone.. how low or high youn are ranked

Edited April 13 by ikke1959

[RobU]

****

Edited April 13 by RobU
Bad post

[RobU]

6 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

High ranked people are always thinking that theyb are above the law.. it is time that the court should punish them double as they have a function that should be sparkless instead of being a je..k ..So please judges set an example.

The Laws are for everyone.. how low or high youn are ranked

The high ranking official was actually misusing his public office by assisting someone to commit a crime and threatening the police. That is punishable by death according to Thai law. 

Edited April 13 by RobU

[wensiensheng]

And so it continues ad nausium. So little respect for the law, so many high ranking officials 

[Gandtee]

So. He being an Interior Ministry Official. Shouldn't the Interior Minister direct his call for justice, without bribery be directed at this case instead of interfering in the Swiss alleged kicker's case? Or is this another example of a  two tier justice system? The Interior Minister has made his feelings towards dirty farangs very clear.. 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The altercation was sparked when the district chief loudly proclaimed his status as a high-ranking official and accused the police of disrespecting him. The officers replied by reminding the man that, as a senior civil servant, he should be setting a positive example.

 

The district chief, appearing inebriated and smelling of alcohol, became increasingly belligerent and pushed against one of the officers, who was quickly defended by his colleagues and other bystanders.

 

Despite the police’s attempt to arrest a member of the district chief’s party for drink driving, the official intervened, shouting at the officers and warning them not to arrest his associate.

You do know who I am right ??

Hopefully your governor will and do the right thing.

[trainman34014]

Yawn; after being here 20 years and seeing this so many times i know this will end up either swept under the carpet entirely or at worst for the offender having to apologise and give numerous wai's to the offended.

 

Thailand never learns; still stuck in a Cultural Black Hole created 500 years ago !

[bradiston]

This is one of Minister of Interior Anutin's mob. And there's Anutin upbraiding the Swiss guy for bad behaviour. Meanwhile this drunken thug assaults a police officer in the execution of his duty, trying to do what's necessary to prevent road kill. At the very least, resign!

[ikke1959]

2 hours ago, RobU said:

The high ranking official was actually misusing his public office by assisting someone to commit a crime and threatening the police. That is punishable by death according to Thai law. 

So capital punishment for him as an example, but we all know nothing will happen... a misunderstanding a way and 500 THB fine or a basket with undrinkable brand......

[RobU]

13 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

So capital punishment for him as an example, but we all know nothing will happen... a misunderstanding a way and 500 THB fine or a basket with undrinkable brand......

More likely nothing whatsoever will happen. The police officers will have to obey their corrupt superiors. He and the drunk driver should have both been arrested on the spot and charged. The driver with DUI and the official with attempting to pervert the course of justice, which should have cost him his job. 

[The Old Bull]

I hope they continue to report on this showing how it plays out.

[bradiston]

10 hours ago, The Old Bull said:

I hope they continue to report on this showing how it plays out.

The whole article was removed from BP so I guess they've already silenced it. Anutin would have seen to that.

[sherwood]

8 hours ago, bradiston said:

The whole article was removed from BP so I guess they've already silenced it. Anutin would have seen to that.

Typical of the nonsense rampant in this wonderful country.

I would like to be afforded the same treatment if I was in the same situation. Not that I would be.

No I guess not.

Counts!