Thai Police Officer Investigated Over 500 Baht Bribe Claim in Khon Kaen

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

Following the viral spread of a video showing a police officer accepting a bribe of 500 baht, Colonel Yoswat Kaewsupthanit, the Superintendent of Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, ordered an investigation.

 

It was discovered that the officer in question, a sergeant in the traffic division, admitted to accepting the money but claimed he had returned it to the individual. Despite this, the officer was found to have committed an offence, leading to disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

 

The incident first came to light on social media and various pages in Khon Kaen Province, which showed a traffic officer allegedly accepting a bribe from a motorbike rider. The video sparked widespread criticism and calls for a thorough investigation, urging the authorities to take decisive action.

 

On November 18, Colonel Yoswat addressed the incident, revealing that it occurred in August 2024. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the motorbike rider’s girlfriend had recorded the video. The officer, identified by badge number 6631, confirmed his involvement but stated that he had refunded the money to the victim.

“This incident is a clear case of an officer seeking an improper benefit. Initially, he is guilty of both disciplinary and criminal violations. I have therefore set up a fact-finding committee to conduct a full investigation,” Colonel Yoswat said.

 

He also announced that the officer would be reassigned to the station’s administrative office while the inquiry is ongoing, and the committee has been given seven days to complete its review.

 

Colonel Yoswat emphasized that the officer’s actions were improper, as he failed to follow the proper procedures. Traffic officers are trained to handle such cases through established channels, which involve setting up roadblocks for inspections and handling the seized vehicles accordingly.

 

Even in on-the-spot encounters, officers are required to issue fines and bring the vehicles to the station for further processing, rather than accepting bribes or bypassing protocols.

 

He also reassured the public that if they encounter issues with the conduct of officers at Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, they should feel free to lodge complaints directly with him or report the matter to the police at any time, via the 191 emergency hotline, reported Daily News.

 

-- 2024-11-19

 

 

[Gottfrid]

Ouch! You little bastard. What have you done?! Do you realize the proportions of such bad and corrupted behavior? Ok, off you go to inactive post assignment (desk duty). See what disciplinary punishments we can give you. But, rest assured, we will have you back on duty to serve and protect our beloved citizens next week.

Edited 6 hours ago by Gottfrid

[ozz1]

Probably upset because he didn't get a cut

[lordgrinz]

I would guess this happens thousands of times every day here, he needs to do a better job of hiding it though.

[mran66]

Fellow officers scolding him undercutting the market with 500 baht. 

[Thumbs]

Cops are under more scrutiny with social media so now they just dont bother patrolling the streets for offenses as no monetary incentive for them. Then once a week they do big vehicle checkpoints to ensure their ticket statistics keep to the required level

[rtco]

If it wasn't for Social Media ... damn.

[topt]

11 minutes ago, mran66 said:

Fellow officers scolding him undercutting the market with 500 baht. 

Depending on the supposed offence it seems high - but maybe I am out of touch with the current level of "lunch contributions"......

[hitext]

Such a shame there was a bad apple in the police force. But now that he's been rooted out, we can be confident that all the other officers are honest and incorruptible. There won't be any more of that 'accepting bribes' nonsense anywhere in Thailand. 

 

Also, the boys in brown have confirmed that there is no prostitution in Pattaya, so we can all sleep easy.

[Peterphuket]

So in future, if I get fined for an offence and I can pay it off, I have to take a photo.

[sqwakvfr]

500 Baht.  Come on.  At least get a 1000.  Many years ago I pulled over a driver from New York because he ran a stop sign.  When I approached the driver he presented his NY drivers license with a $50 dollar bill.  I returned the license and $50.  I told him "I guess this is standard procedure in New York".  He smiled and I sent him on his way.  

 

Also, the term "assgined to administrative duties" is code for he will be back when the attention on this fades away.  

[mran66]

13 minutes ago, hitext said:

so, the boys in brown have confirmed that there is no prostitution in Pattaya, so we can all sleep easy.

The day prostitution is over in Pattaya, a lot of guys will have sleepless nights in hunting the extinct species! 

[Gandtee]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

Following the viral spread of a video showing a police officer accepting a bribe of 500 baht, Colonel Yoswat Kaewsupthanit, the Superintendent of Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, ordered an investigation.

 

It was discovered that the officer in question, a sergeant in the traffic division, admitted to accepting the money but claimed he had returned it to the individual. Despite this, the officer was found to have committed an offence, leading to disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

 

The incident first came to light on social media and various pages in Khon Kaen Province, which showed a traffic officer allegedly accepting a bribe from a motorbike rider. The video sparked widespread criticism and calls for a thorough investigation, urging the authorities to take decisive action.

 

On November 18, Colonel Yoswat addressed the incident, revealing that it occurred in August 2024. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the motorbike rider’s girlfriend had recorded the video. The officer, identified by badge number 6631, confirmed his involvement but stated that he had refunded the money to the victim.

“This incident is a clear case of an officer seeking an improper benefit. Initially, he is guilty of both disciplinary and criminal violations. I have therefore set up a fact-finding committee to conduct a full investigation,” Colonel Yoswat said.

 

He also announced that the officer would be reassigned to the station’s administrative office while the inquiry is ongoing, and the committee has been given seven days to complete its review.

 

Colonel Yoswat emphasized that the officer’s actions were improper, as he failed to follow the proper procedures. Traffic officers are trained to handle such cases through established channels, which involve setting up roadblocks for inspections and handling the seized vehicles accordingly.

 

Even in on-the-spot encounters, officers are required to issue fines and bring the vehicles to the station for further processing, rather than accepting bribes or bypassing protocols.

 

He also reassured the public that if they encounter issues with the conduct of officers at Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, they should feel free to lodge complaints directly with him or report the matter to the police at any time, via the 191 emergency hotline, reported Daily News.

 

-- 2024-11-19

 

 

This is news? Ha Ha

[arick]

They need to get rid of all their kittle highway cameras also.

[koele2]

It’s not really an investigation.  More like a training session on how to do it properly so you don’t make the police look bad.

[BerndD]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Daily News

 

Following the viral spread of a video showing a police officer accepting a bribe of 500 baht, Colonel Yoswat Kaewsupthanit, the Superintendent of Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, ordered an investigation.

 

It was discovered that the officer in question, a sergeant in the traffic division, admitted to accepting the money but claimed he had returned it to the individual. Despite this, the officer was found to have committed an offence, leading to disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

 

The incident first came to light on social media and various pages in Khon Kaen Province, which showed a traffic officer allegedly accepting a bribe from a motorbike rider. The video sparked widespread criticism and calls for a thorough investigation, urging the authorities to take decisive action.

 

On November 18, Colonel Yoswat addressed the incident, revealing that it occurred in August 2024. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the motorbike rider’s girlfriend had recorded the video. The officer, identified by badge number 6631, confirmed his involvement but stated that he had refunded the money to the victim.

“This incident is a clear case of an officer seeking an improper benefit. Initially, he is guilty of both disciplinary and criminal violations. I have therefore set up a fact-finding committee to conduct a full investigation,” Colonel Yoswat said.

 

He also announced that the officer would be reassigned to the station’s administrative office while the inquiry is ongoing, and the committee has been given seven days to complete its review.

 

Colonel Yoswat emphasized that the officer’s actions were improper, as he failed to follow the proper procedures. Traffic officers are trained to handle such cases through established channels, which involve setting up roadblocks for inspections and handling the seized vehicles accordingly.

 

Even in on-the-spot encounters, officers are required to issue fines and bring the vehicles to the station for further processing, rather than accepting bribes or bypassing protocols.

 

He also reassured the public that if they encounter issues with the conduct of officers at Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, they should feel free to lodge complaints directly with him or report the matter to the police at any time, via the 191 emergency hotline, reported Daily News.

 

-- 2024-11-19

 

 

What happens to the police officers who collect not just 500 Baht but 500,000 Baht and more?
You leave the little ones hanging, you let the big ones run...

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Following the viral spread of a video showing a police officer accepting a bribe of 500 baht, Colonel Yoswat Kaewsupthanit, the Superintendent of Muang Khon Kaen Police Station, ordered an investigation.

An investigation into this one event or the other thousands that take place every day ?

[twizzian]

I would have thought ‘Slight of Hand ‘  would have been a trained policeman's skill.

[Cabradelmar]

Investigation is a waste of time. Just a feel good headline. It's a cultural thing. Until the culture of the police (and Thais as a whole) changes, nothing charges.

[shackleton]

It's the normal thing here in Thailand 

Perks of the job 🤑

Being a traffic cop has its advantages 💰 

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

“This incident is a clear case of an officer seeking an improper benefit. Initially, he is guilty of both disciplinary and criminal violations. I have therefore set up a fact-finding committee to conduct a full investigation,” Colonel Yoswat said.

Colonel Yoswat, in the first two sentences you stated, you have already found the facts, and therefore a fact-finding committee will rather  be a fact-obfuscation committee.

[ronster]

Worried about 500bht when loads of them live in nice houses , drive cars beyond their pay salary means and have money tucked away  😄

[soalbundy]

Investigate what? That the sun rises in the morning?

[MickGC]

Talk about inflation. 10 years ago it was only Bht 200. Not going to change until the BiB are paid a proper wage and receive professional training.

[Andycoops]

Amazing Thailand.

 

All this fuss over 500 baht when the head honcho's and their cronies are raking in millions of baht every month, just laughable