Thai Eatery Battles Extortion by Alleged Fake Officers

Picture courtesy of Tnews

A popular restaurant in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, has taken a stand against a group of individuals masquerading as undercover police, accusing them of extortion. The group allegedly threatened the restaurant with closure over claims of illegal alcohol sales outside permitted hours.

Kritwit, the 35-year-old owner of the establishment in the province’s Mueang district, lodged a formal complaint with Police Lieutenant Phakaphong Sueksakul at the Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station following the incident, which has sent ripples through the local community.

In the early hours of 18 August, a group of five men, claiming affiliation with the local police’s investigation team, descended upon the restaurant. Kritwit was not present at the time. The group, led by an individual identified as Jay, approached Siwakorn, an employee, after closing hours.

Despite the restaurant’s official closure, a few known patrons remained inside. Jay accused them of violating the legal closing time by selling alcohol and demanded a "fine" of 20,000 baht (approximately £490). They warned of dire legal consequences, including the potential shuttering of the business, if their demands were not met.

Siwakorn was reportedly taken to the police station's investigation room, where he felt pressured into withdrawing the cash sum. Jay insisted this was a directive from his superior to avoid the restaurant’s closure—an alarming predicament for any business owner.

The incident has left the restaurant facing financial strain and reputational damage. Keen to address the injustices, Kritwit filed a formal complaint, pushing for stringent legal actions against the accused. He aims to ensure all involved in this charade of authority are held accountable.

The accusations have sparked debate among business owners and the public alike, raising concerns about the prevalence of similar incidents. Many worry about unnecessary intimidation under the guise of law enforcement, threatening the integrity of genuine policing efforts in the region.

This event mirrors similar occurrences across the country, highlighting an ongoing struggle with alleged corruption and extortion. In another case, the manager of the Chop Charoen restaurant in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya recently brought attention to a policeman demanding monthly bribes of 1,000 baht (£25) to avoid inspections.

Such incidents have prompted calls for a thorough investigation and measures to prevent future abuses of power. Business owners are particularly vocal about the need for transparency and support from legitimate law enforcement to protect their operations from extortion attempts.

Authorities have promised to thoroughly investigate these claims. As scrutiny mounts, this case could serve as a catalyst for broader reforms in the way law enforcement engages with the public and businesses.

As Ubon Ratchathani's restaurant community rallies round, eager for justice, this incident underscores the critical need for vigilance and reform within the system. Ensuring the safety and fairness of business practices remains a priority. With Kritwit’s courage in coming forward, there is hope that such bold actions will deter future acts of malpractice and restore trust between local businesses and the authorities.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-21