Crime DSI Charges Seven Traffic Police Officers Over Assault on Former Officer’s Son

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Seven traffic police officers have been formally charged under the recent anti-torture and enforced disappearance law for their role in the severe assault of a man wrongly suspected of evading a checkpoint. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of the Attorney General announced the decision following a high-level case review.

 

The incident, which took place in 2024, involved the assault of Mr. Thananop Kerdsri, the son of a former police officer. He was allegedly mistaken for another individual who had fled a police checkpoint. The assault left him with serious physical and psychological injuries.

 

At a press briefing at DSI headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road, Mr. Watcharin Phanurat, Deputy Director-General of the Office of Special Investigation, and Mr. Angsuketi Wisutwattanasak, Director of the Justice Affairs Division, announced that the officers would face charges under Section 5 of the 2022 Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act. The section criminalises acts by state officials that inflict severe pain or suffering on others, physically or mentally.

 

The seven officers include one police captain, five police sergeants, and one police corporal, all from the Traffic Police Division. They have been summoned to formally hear the charges on 9 July at 09:00.

 

According to Mr. Watcharin, extensive evidence had been reviewed, including CCTV footage and body camera recordings, which clearly showed the officers forcibly apprehending Mr. Thananop, handcuffing him and physically assaulting him. Crucially, no officer attempted to intervene or stop the assault, leading investigators to conclude that the violence was a joint action.

 

Investigators dismissed potential charges under other sections of the law, including Section 6 (cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment), Section 7 (unlawful detention without notification), and Section 22 (failure to report detention), citing that Mr. Thananop was eventually taken to hospital and that his sister arrived at the scene, thus negating the intent to conceal his whereabouts.

 

No charges will be brought against the superior officers of the accused, as investigators found that appropriate disciplinary and legal actions were already initiated, including preliminary dismissal from service.

 

Under Section 5 of the anti-torture law, the officers could face up to 15 years in prison. The case is also being considered under Section 172 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption (2018).

 

Mr. Watcharin added that while the accused officers have the legal right to present a defence and provide evidence, the DSI will proceed to forward the case to the Office of the Attorney General’s anti-corruption division for prosecution in the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.

 

He noted that although the courts may consider reparations and victim compensation as mitigating factors during sentencing, the victim in this case has expressed a firm intention to pursue full legal action.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-20