Restaurant Owner Exposes Corrupt Officials, Left with Only 2,000 Baht

[webfact]

 

A 37-year-old restaurant owner from Nakhon Ratchasima, known by the alias "Mr. Berm," has filed a formal complaint accusing local officials of years-long extortion, which has left him with only 2,000 baht. Berm claims he had been forced to pay monthly bribes to both police and administrative officers, a practice that eventually bankrupted him and led him to seek legal help.

 

On 24 October, Berm presented evidence to lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet, the chairman of the Justice for All Foundation in Nonthaburi, asking for assistance in exposing the corrupt officials. Berm brought along documents, chat logs, bank transfer slips, and audio recordings, all of which allegedly show how police and local authorities collected money from him.

 

The payments, which he said ranged from 5,000 to 30,000 baht each month, started in October 2022 and continued until April 2024. Despite obtaining verbal permission from district and provincial offices to operate his restaurant-bar without a business licence, Berm was regularly harassed for payments by law enforcement officers under the pretext of licensing issues.

 

He further revealed that his business was also burdened by the police demanding free alcohol, sometimes up to two or three bottles a month, each worth around 300 to 400 baht. This additional financial strain contributed to his restaurant's eventual closure.

 

Facing continuous threats of arrest, Berm said he had no choice but to comply with their demands to keep his business running, making payments three times a month.

 

With his business collapsed and left with only 2,000 baht, Berm and his family travelled from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nonthaburi to meet with lawyer Ronnarong.

 

He stated that, although he risks being charged for participating in the bribery, he decided to come forward because he has nothing left. Berm is determined to expose the corruption that destroyed his livelihood, even if it means facing legal consequences.

 

Lawyer Ronnarong affirmed that the evidence provided, including conversations and money transfers, clearly points to systemic corruption involving both police officers and local administrative officials, reported Daily News.

 

He stated that the Justice for All Foundation plans to take the case to the Crime Suppression Division for further investigation and legal action against the implicated officials. However, Ronnarong acknowledged that Berm himself could also face legal repercussions for his role in paying bribes to law enforcement.

 

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

-- 2024-10-25

 

 

[sammieuk1]

Now after grassing, unfortunately all Berm' has to look forward to is concrete filled barrel in the river 🤔

[dinsdale]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

Berm claims he had been forced to pay monthly bribes to both police and administrative officers

The very tiniest tip of a massive iceberg. This practice is endemic across Thailand. 

[OneMoreFarang]

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

Despite obtaining verbal permission from district and provincial offices to operate his restaurant-bar without a business licence, Berm was regularly harassed for payments by law enforcement officers under the pretext of licensing issues.

 

Maybe he should have considered an official written permission. Then he could have refused bribery demands.

 

It seems to me often restaurant and bar owners have choices like do you allow smoking indoors? If yes, pay x amount and the police won't complain. Do you want to open longer, pay extra.

Or: Play by the rules and get inspected and look if they can find something illegal.

 

Obviously, corruption is widespread, but it seems to me many people are willing to pay for the authorities not to enforce the laws.

 

[Gottfrid]

17 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Or: Play by the rules and get inspected and look if they can find something illegal.

Yes, and then they will find or plant some evidence of wrongdoing anyway.

 

Just maybe he should have blown the horn a little bit before it all went down the drain. Or, did he think it would get better? 🤣

[Emdog]

Have a Thai friend who owns restaurant in Pattaya, all above board. Local cops shake him down for 10k a month. Before Covid he said cops even came in from Bangkok for cash too. Legal or illegal, cops will squeeze for all they can get

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

On 24 October, Berm presented evidence to lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet, the chairman of the Justice for All Foundation in Nonthaburi, asking for assistance in exposing the corrupt officials.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Ronnarong acknowledged that Berm himself could also face legal repercussions for his role in paying bribes to law enforcement.

So can we report immigration officers to them ? and will those paying said bribes also face legal repercussions ? Oh hang on no paper trail.

[jippytum]

He spent a fortune in bribes because he didn't have a business license. 

He should have employed a lawyer to obtain the license for him. 

Doesn't condone the crooked cops and town hall crooks. 

[Sydebolle]

Billions - every month and EVERYBODY knows about it and NOBODY does anything about it. Thailand's biggest enemy is its own people 8-) 

[Gandtee]

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Maybe he should have considered an official written permission. Then he could have refused bribery demands.

 

It seems to me often restaurant and bar owners have choices like do you allow smoking indoors? If yes, pay x amount and the police won't complain. Do you want to open longer, pay extra.

Or: Play by the rules and get inspected and look if they can find something illegal.

 

Obviously, corruption is widespread, but it seems to me many people are willing to pay for the authorities not to enforce the laws.

 

Until they don't, and abide by the rules, nothing will change.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The payments, which he said ranged from 5,000 to 30,000 baht each month, started in October 2022 and continued until April 2024. Despite obtaining verbal permission from district and provincial offices to operate his restaurant-bar without a business licence, Berm was regularly harassed for payments by law enforcement officers under the pretext of licensing issues.

It's how Thailand rolls...

[FritsSikkink]

6 hours ago, dinsdale said:

The very tiniest tip of a massive iceberg. This practice is endemic across Thailand. 

"Despite obtaining verbal permission from district and provincial offices to operate his restaurant-bar without a business licence"

Don't start a business without a license, problem solved.

[shackleton]

He has brought this on himself paying bribes to police and officials 

He must have known this was not going to end well, especially losing 💰 

Monthly 

Should have got out or reported early 

He is not going to get any satisfaction here only more grief 😔 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

11 minutes ago, shackleton said:

Should have got out or reported early 

What do you suggest, should he have complained by the police that he is not allowed to run his business without a license? 

[dinsdale]

40 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

"Despite obtaining verbal permission from district and provincial offices to operate his restaurant-bar without a business licence"

Don't start a business without a license, problem solved.

TIT. 

[chickenslegs]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

With his business collapsed and left with only 2,000 baht, Berm and his family travelled from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nonthaburi to meet with lawyer Ronnarong.

The lawyer will soon relieve him of his last 2,000 baht.

[TheFishman1]

The police here take their cut and any business that’s opened or they harass them and make them pay TIT

[Bruce Aussie]

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

The very tiniest tip of a massive iceberg. This practice is endemic across Thailand. 

I don't believe this story there no corruption in the RTP or Government. 🤣🤣🤣

[watchcat]

15 hours ago, hotchilli said:

It's how Thailand rolls...

 

That's why it still is a banana republic, and will be for a long time.

[baipaibkk]

On 10/25/2024 at 5:37 AM, webfact said:

Lawyer Ronnarong affirmed that the evidence provided, including conversations and money transfers, clearly points to systemic corruption involving both police officers and local administrative officials, reported Daily News.

that is also blackmail. I think that 10 years in prison would be a deterrent for the perfect police officers

[john donson]

 verbal permission from district and provincial offices to operate his restaurant-bar without a business licence

 

 

red flag... why not get a license?  

 

is licence with a C at the end or an S ?

[Dan O]

19 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

The police here take their cut and any business that’s opened or they harass them and make them pay TIT

Not true. We have a cafe in NST for several years and never had any issue or request. Police come in a number a times a week for lunch or coffee and pay full price without any question. As for a business license they are readily available and can be gotten no problem and they are not expensive. I suspect there's some hidden info not give in the article that caused the "victim" to not apply for the license. 

[AdmiralKrag]

Decades ago I lived in Phnom Penh. A philanthropist was disallowed from opening a medium sized free school because he wouldn't pay bribes. No real reason, nothing below board .. pay or not .. we don't care. The school was never built and he later left the country

[spidermike007]

Call then out by name. Humiliate them. Shame them. Unless the public declares war on these greedy, corrupt, morally bankrupt animals, nothing will ever change. Kudos to this guy for making a stink. It's a tiny start. 

 

When I lived on Samui, I was told by a friend who's best friend worked for the Danish Embassy, that the Danes had submitted a plan to create a free electric monorail around the entire Ring Road. 54 km. at no charge to the island, no charge to the government. It was to be a pilot program, and it was turned down because the local officials can't collect bribes on a free system. What can one say? 

 

[spidermike007]

18 hours ago, Dan O said:

Not true. We have a cafe in NST for several years and never had any issue or request. Police come in a number a times a week for lunch or coffee and pay full price without any question. As for a business license they are readily available and can be gotten no problem and they are not expensive. I suspect there's some hidden info not give in the article that caused the "victim" to not apply for the license. 

I am sure it varies by region. Never forget, the RTP is a franchise system. Up to the individual franchisee. 

[Dan O]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I am sure it varies by region. Never forget, the RTP is a franchise system. Up to the individual franchisee. 

It absolutely is occurring in various parts of the country and in most all the different govt agencies. I was responding to another poster's comments. It doesn't happen in all RTP department and all levels of officials or areas. 

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, Dan O said:

It absolutely is occurring in various parts of the country and in most all the different govt agencies. I was responding to another poster's comments. It doesn't happen in all RTP department and all levels of officials or areas. 

Go to the immigration office on KOH CHANG and they now want 100b for a 90day report, and 2,300-2400b to make an extension. It's a new franchise just recently opened. 

[stevenl]

On 10/25/2024 at 3:05 PM, TheFishman1 said:

The police here take their cut and any business that’s opened or they harass them and make them pay TIT

Operate legally and one has no problems.

[ChaiyaTH]

I always joke that owning most businesses here is like buying a job at best, you essentially work for the landlord and officials.

[Dan O]

10 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

I always joke that owning most businesses here is like buying a job at best, you essentially work for the landlord and officials.

I disagree in general but some areas may be like that. I know several expats that own business in a variety of provinces that have never had a problem although the locals can't say the same