Thai Border Police Kidnap Gang Abducts, Tortures, And Extorts Thai People

[Jai Dee]

BORDER-POLICE GANG

They kidnapped us too - couple

Drugs said planted in bedroom after electric-shock torture at camp

A Trang couple claim the same group of rogue policemen that kidnapped a wealthy Bangkok woman this week abducted them.

They came forward yesterday and said the gang had abducted them from a petrol service station and then framed them on drugs charges.

Pradit Khongmak, 43, and wife Wanpen, 41, assert the same group lured them to a petrol station then arrested them. Electric shocks were administered to both during questioning at Thung Song Border Police Camp, they say.

They were later charged with drugs offences.

Wanpen said a female colleague named Saijai had telephoned her on January 6 at 2pm and asked her and Pradit to collect her from a service station near the Klong Pang market, after which they would go to a card game.

Wanpen had Bt36,000 in cash with her while Pradit had Bt3,900.

When they arrived at the service station a group of men in a pickup abducted them.

They were forced to hand over their valuables and cash.

They were taken to the border-police camp, where they were interrogated about drugs. Wanpen said she had been given electric shocks on the knees and legs for 15 minutes after denying anything to do with drugs.

The next day the couple accompanied the men while they searched their home.

Wanpen said the team leader had told one of the men to plant drugs in the bedroom.

Back at the camp, the couple was forced to sign confessions before being taken to the Rassada district police station.

They were told to confess or they would be assaulted again.

Wanpen said they had confessed.

While they were detained at a courthouse in Trang, officers noticed the wounds from the assault. They were told to file a compliant and released on bail.

The couple visited a hospital, where their injuries were recorded and treated. They did file a complaint against the kidnappers.

Wanpen said Saijai had earlier been arrested for selling methamphetamines, which she had bought from a man named Winai.

She said Saijai had been ordered to call Wanpen and her husband. She believed the men mistook Pradit for a drug-dealer.

Saijai told her she had witnessed the torture and been ordered to implicate the couple in drug-dealing.

Wanpen said she was sure her abductors were the same group that had kidnapped the Bangkok businesswoman.

After her abduction, she learned the men had been investigated and then transferred to Chumphon.

Wanpen and her husband have filed a complaint with the police and the prime minister.

They have sold their business and moved, out of fear for their lives.

The policemen and civilians arrested this week for the Bangkok kidnapping have been remanded in custody at Thon Buri Special Prison and ordered to reappear on February 6. The men deny the charges.

The Taling Chan court denied bail after police submitted that the arrested men could tamper with evidence or intimidate witnesses.

They were arrested on Thursday at a Phya Thai apartment after police learned they had abducted businesswoman Piengjit Peungon, 42, her family and others earlier in the week and extorted more than Bt8 million from them for their release.

Police continue to interview witnesses, collect evidence and check the backgrounds of the suspects.

Metropolitan Police Colonel Banleusak Khlib-ngern said five members of the gang remained on the run.

Banleusak said Senior Sgt-Major Prasarn Sorntawee, Sgts-Major Anuchit Prom-ubon, Anusit Netsuwan and Viroj Seekhao and Lance Corporal Theerasak Klamtako were believed to have fled to the South.

A manhunt is under way. Their commanding officers have been asked to assist in securing their surrender.

A source said police would seek arrest warrants for two more suspected accomplices. Police said the gang had deposited the ransom money in bank accounts in the names of two identified as Pinyo, 33, and Anchalee, 29.

Before the remand hearing, relatives of the suspects visited them at Bang Phlat police station.

Ekkachai Jatumit, the elder brother of suspect Corporal Neramit, believed his sibling had been following orders from a superior.

Ekkachai was prepared to stand bail for his brother.

Source: The Nation - 27 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Eight Thai policemen arrested for kidnapping, extortion

Eight police officers and four men were arrested on Friday for allegedly kidnapping a wealthy businesswoman and her two sons and trying to extort 260,000 dollars, a police official said.

Authorities were also seeking to arrest five other policemen in connection with the crime, the official said.

"I cannot imagine how the public must feel about this case," deputy commander Police Major General Watjanon Tirawat told AFP.

"We have set up a committee to investigate this case. We will continue to protect innocent people from wrongdoers," he said.

On Sunday, around five or six policemen entered the 42-year-old woman's luxury home in Bangkok, falsely accusing her of drugs offences and kidnapping her and her two sons, aged 10 and 15. The woman owns a garment factory.

The three were kept in an apartment but freed unharmed on Tuesday after the woman withdrew 8.6 million baht (260,000 dollars) from her bank accounts.

While she was taking out money from her bank and depositing it into one of the kidnappers' accounts, her sons were held in the apartment as hostages.

The case became public after her husband reported the crime to police.

Source: The Manager - 27 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Drug cases involving 'abductors' reopened

The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is reinvestigating drugs cases closed by police officers arrested last week over the kidnapping of a wealthy Bangkok divorcee.

The alleged kidnappers were led by border police officer Captain Nat Chonniti-wanich and other officers based in Chumphon. Their victim, Piengjit Peung-on, told police she had been abducted by the gang and released last Wednesday only after she emptied her bank accounts of more than Bt8 million.

As of yesterday, many more people, including a Chinese man, stepped forward to testify that they were also victims of these rogue policemen.

"We are now reinvestigating all cases handled by these policemen," ONCB secretary general Kitti Limchaikij said yesterday.

He admitted there had been many complaints against Nat and his accomplices.

On Saturday, a Trang couple accused the gang of abducting, robbing, torturing and forcing them to confess to bogus drug charges on January 6.

In one case, Pranom Changkham said she was sent to Samut Prakan Prison to face drug charges after Nat's gang abducted her and she could not pay a ransom.

"We have just interrogated a woman," Kitti said, adding that she was now awaiting trial.

Kitti said Nat's superior officer would face investigation over why the gang was allowed to operate in Bangkok without the permission or knowledge of local police. He said the investigation on this part would start on Monday.

Superior Colonel Singhanart Seekakaew denied any knowledge of his rogue officer's activities.

"I was appointed superintendent of the unit last October. Before I assumed the post, I was in charge of civilian affairs and a border-patrol police school," Singhanart said.

Had he been aware of the gang's activities, he would have taken action, he said.

"I cannot deny responsibility because I am their superior," he added. "But I am not worried because I am honest."

Meanwhile, 33-year-old Pinyo Sirawilakpakdee yesterday turned himself in to police but denied colluding with Nat's gang in extorting money from kidnap victims.

Pinyo and his girlfriend were implicated after evidence emerged that Piengjit's cash was transferred to their bank accounts.

Speaking to investigators at Bang Phlat Police Station, Pinyo said Nat's gang kidnapped him and his girlfriend, forced them to pay Bt50,000 in ransom and to open bank accounts with ATM cards. Pinyo and his girlfriend had no knowledge about the bank accounts' transactions after that.

Source: The Nation - 28 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Police expedite case against rogue border officers to Criminal Court

Deputy Commander of the Bangkok Police, Police Major General Wajanont Tirawat (วัจนนท์ ถิระวัฒน์) revealed advancements in the case of 12 rogue border police who kidnapped widowed millionaire Piangjit Pueng-Ohn (เพียงจิต พึ่งอ้น). Police Major General Wajanont said that police are currently collecting witnesses and evidence to be used against the suspects and at the moment have gathered 50 percent of the needed evidence.

The deputy commander said that police are seeking to contact witnesses as soon as possible so that the case can be moved to the Criminal Court. As for 5 additional suspects in the case, police have dispatched a separate team to apprehend the group and have also forwarded the issue to units in other districts.

Authorities state that no reports of the missing suspects have been made but admitted other cases involving the group of rogue border police have been filed and they are now following up on the reports.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 January 2008

[PadThaiGuy]

Wasn't it a year or so ago, a farang reported being kidnapped by some cops on Soi Thong Lor and was forced to drain his bank account?

[Galong]

Holy Cow! how horrible this must have been for the victims.

Hmm, if we think the cops are sometimes rough on us 'bread eaters' this is proof that they aren't discriminating.

This sounds like it'd make a good movie.

[apetley]

Bet their motto aint 'To Protect and Serve'.

[scotwumman]

To think I nearly thought of settling down in this lawless set-up frightens the sh out of me. After six years of visiting this

paradise time to 'cop out'. No more househunting or even renting for me if this is the way they treat their own people.

,

Nice place to holiday while it lasted, it's no surprise the tourist trade is dwindling, which whilst this will suit a lot of expat residents

in Thailand for no tourists to return may make them the main targets, money or not.

Okay gloss over the fact, the climate the views the 'nice people': to escape to your home cold and miserable as it may be might be

preferable imo i.e. you might live to your alotted 3 score years and 10. -lol

[judgedredd]

It gives me pause when I realize that kidnapping and extortion, committed by Thai Police gangs, seems to be a common occurrence here in Thailand.

As PadThaiGuy points out, there have been stories previously reported here on Thai Visa of foreigners kidnapped and robbed and extorted by Thai police:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=117889

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=116068

Of course, there may be more to this particular story than meets the eye. In yesterday’s English print edition of the Bangkok Post, there was mention of the fact that the business woman who was abducted by the police, Piengjit Peungon, recently received 20,000,000 (20 Million) Thai Baht in settlement from the divorce from her ex Thai husband. Now, if this is true, you have to speculate: (1.)Did the police know of the settlement, and simply smell opportunity; or, (2.)Did the ex-hubby hire the police to recover a portion of his court-ordered alimony payment?

In the fall and winter of 2006-2007, didn’t we all hear stories that the new ruling Thai military Junta was going to clean up the Thai Police? Sounds like it is still business as usual.

Judge Dredd

[PadThaiGuy]

It gives me pause when I realize that kidnapping and extortion, committed by Thai Police gangs, seems to be a common occurrence here in Thailand.

As PadThaiGuy points out, there have been stories previously reported here on Thai Visa of foreigners kidnapped and robbed and extorted by Thai police:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=117889

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=116068

Of course, there may be more to this particular story than meets the eye. In yesterday's English print edition of the Bangkok Post, there was mention of the fact that the business woman who was abducted by the police, Piengjit Peungon, recently received 20,000,000 (20 Million) Thai Baht in settlement from the divorce from her ex Thai husband. Now, if this is true, you have to speculate: (1.)Did the police know of the settlement, and simply smell opportunity; or, (2.)Did the ex-hubby hire the police to recover a portion of his court-ordered alimony payment?

In the fall and winter of 2006-2007, didn't we all hear stories that the new ruling Thai military Junta was going to clean up the Thai Police? Sounds like it is still business as usual.

Judge Dredd

I think the cops have been out of control since the coup.

I hear constant reports of Farang being shaken down by the Cops near Sukhumvit 22 lately.....

.....and I see the cigarette butt police targeting 100% foreigners for littering and charging up to 2,000thb in the tourist areas.

Surely the cops are involved in the Thai Gem Scam that targets tourists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_gem_scam

[taxexile]

This sounds like it'd make a good movie

ever see "l.a.confidential"?

stories about the los angeles police force in the 40's.

similar shenanigans and based on truth.

most western police forces have , in the past , had rogue cops operating like this

[Jai Dee]

Rogue police gang member to submit to arrest

Media reports stated that Border Patrol officer, Police Lance Corporal Theerasak Khlumtakoh (ธีระศักดิ์ กล่ำตะโก) who is a subordinate of arrested Border Patrol Superior Police Captain Nut Cholnitiwanich (ณัฎฐ์ ชลนิธิวณิชย์) has agreed to turn himself in. Police Lance Corporal Theerasak is wanted in the ongoing case in which 12 Border Patrol Police have been arrested in connection to the kidnapping and extortion of a widowed millionaire.

Police Lance Corporal Theerasak made contact with lead officer Police Major General Chakrathip Chaijinda (จักรทิพย์ ชัยจินดา) through a relative of his own stating that he would submit to be arrested but affirmed that he was not involved in the incident. The border patrol officer admitted that he was merely working under the order of his superior and believed that he was investigating a drug case.

Police Major General Chakrathip gave his promise Police Lance Corporal Theerasak that he would process his case justly based on evidence and urged him to quickly travel to Bang Plad Police Station for arrest.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 January 2008

[taxexile]

merely working under the order of his superior

i'm sure i've heard that one before ?

[Jai Dee]

Police step up efforts to bring in rogue border officers

Bangkok Police Commander Police Major General Wittaya Rattanavich (วิทยา รัตนวิชช์) revealed that authorities are stepping up efforts to apprehend remaining members of a gang of Border Patrol officers who kidnapped and extorted a widowed millionaire and her two children. Police have issued arrest warrants for 20 suspects in the case who were not present at an initial raid of the gang, so far 14 of the members have been arrested with only 6 still on the run.

Police have offered the choice for the remaining 6 to turn themselves in with Police Lance Corporal Theerasak Khlumtakoh (ธีระศักดิ์ กล่ำตะโก) failing to appear after relaying through a relative that he would face the charges.

Nonetheless, four additional cases against the gang have been filed in Chumporn province, Surat Thani province and Chonburi province.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 January 2008

[Briggsy]

Any photos? Usually the police make high-profile suspects face the cameras with drugs or guns or other weapons placed on a table in front of them or make them re-enact their crime.

[DamianMavis]

Absolutely ridiculous.....

Damian

[cm-happy]

I hope the shit hits the fan over this!!

If nothing else will be an impetus for the long overdue police reorg.

[BigSnake]

Rouge police gang, WOW!! gangs gangs everywhere, given the already bad police a bad name, maybe when they are caught there will be a "GANG BANG"

[John K]

Pink armband time I think.

[apetley]

Rouge police gang, WOW!! gangs gangs everywhere, given the already bad police a bad name, maybe when they are caught there will be a "GANG BANG"

They were wearing makeup too?

[deadoralive]

Thailand is not only the only country in southeast asia to have escaped colonization, it is also the only nation in southeast asia not to have a strongly rooted local mafia... (apologies to Singapore readers but I think of your country as a city state and not a nation). To paraphrase Bertil Linter, the reason that there is no powerful mafia in Thailand is because the police fullfil this function themselves... To be honest I have very limited experience of policing in Thailand. I have no idea whether this statement is true or not. But I would be interested in hearing any thoughts on the subject that can be safely expressed under this regime and in this forum...

[PadThaiGuy]

Thailand is not only the only country in southeast asia to have escaped colonization, it is also the only nation in southeast asia not to have a strongly rooted local mafia... (apologies to Singapore readers but I think of your country as a city state and not a nation). To paraphrase Bertil Linter, the reason that there is no powerful mafia in Thailand is because the police fullfil this function themselves... To be honest I have very limited experience of policing in Thailand. I have no idea whether this statement is true or not. But I would be interested in hearing any thoughts on the subject that can be safely expressed under this regime and in this forum...

My understanding is if they come across any money making crime, they would be more interseted in getting a piece of the action versus prosecuting the perps.

They join forces with the criminals for financial benefit and end up controlling them.

For example, they rounded up the Russian/Ukranian hookers on Soi Nana 3 a few years ago and put the to work in a Police controlled brothel.

Example 2:

A bunch of Tourist report the Gem Scam every day to the Police.

The cops end up protecting the scammers for a piece of the action.

[Tony Clifton]

Bet their motto aint 'To Protect and Serve'.

"To Self-Serve and Collect"

It gives me pause when I realize that kidnapping and extortion, committed by Thai Police gangs, seems to be a common occurrence here in Thailand.

As PadThaiGuy points out, there have been stories previously reported here on Thai Visa of foreigners kidnapped and robbed and extorted by Thai police:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=117889

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=116068

Of course, there may be more to this particular story than meets the eye. In yesterday's English print edition of the Bangkok Post, there was mention of the fact that the business woman who was abducted by the police, Piengjit Peungon, recently received 20,000,000 (20 Million) Thai Baht in settlement from the divorce from her ex Thai husband. Now, if this is true, you have to speculate: (1.)Did the police know of the settlement, and simply smell opportunity; or, (2.)Did the ex-hubby hire the police to recover a portion of his court-ordered alimony payment?

In the fall and winter of 2006-2007, didn't we all hear stories that the new ruling Thai military Junta was going to clean up the Thai Police? Sounds like it is still business as usual.

Judge Dredd

I think the cops have been out of control since the coup.

I hear constant reports of Farang being shaken down by the Cops near Sukhumvit 22 lately.....

.....and I see the cigarette butt police targeting 100% foreigners for littering and charging up to 2,000thb in the tourist areas.

Surely the cops are involved in the Thai Gem Scam that targets tourists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_gem_scam

Since the coup?

They're the biggest criminal organization in the country hiding behind uniforms and inside police stations. They've been working at it looong before the coup. Their promotion system involves them committing criminal offenses in the first place in order to afford those very expensive promotions, unfeasible according to their monthly incomes.

[TAWP]

Hello Kitty will clear up this mess.

[thaihome]

Thailand is not only the only country in southeast asia to have escaped colonization, it is also the only nation in southeast asia not to have a strongly rooted local mafia... (apologies to Singapore readers but I think of your country as a city state and not a nation). To paraphrase Bertil Linter, the reason that there is no powerful mafia in Thailand is because the police fullfil this function themselves... To be honest I have very limited experience of policing in Thailand. I have no idea whether this statement is true or not. But I would be interested in hearing any thoughts on the subject that can be safely expressed under this regime and in this forum...

What makes you think Singapore doesn't have a "strongly rooted local mafia". I believe it is actually one of the oldest, dating back to early British rule, but has no connection to government, except maybe the corruption of lower tier police.

In Indonesia, the Army fulfills that role and in my experience, the government bureaucrats in Vietnam and Cambodia do as well.

IMHO in virtually every country in SEA, except Singapore, the “strongly rooted local mafia” is an arm of the government.

TH

[Big A]

I earnestly pray to God that these scumbag vermin die a horrible and agonising death. Animals.

[Tony Clifton]

It`s a totally failed police force, just like in Haiti and many other third world countries.

A total failure with only sporadic promises of a reform and new uniforms.

They can`t even make safe roadblocks without exposing themselves to danger and causing even more traffic in the oddest of places.

Maybe it`s time they swallow their pride, admit their failure and incompetence and follow example by having foreign police officers examine the way they recruit and operate before one of the numerous criminals they harbor ends up killing a celebrity or relative of/or a very important personality, nothing but a matter of time the way things are going, and go down in history as the world champions of corruption and murder.

If governments can stick black lungs/tumors and rotten gums on cigarette packs that kill you, maybe it`s time cadavers and concerned country names on giant billboards in airports , posters in travel agencies and notices on airplane tickets with a rating system as for movies and music CDs, may get them to clean up their circus act.

There`s no shortage of safer places to travel to or live in.

Edited January 28, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[Supaporn]

..............before one of the numerous criminals they harbor ends up killing a celebrity or relative of/or a very important personality................

As if a non celebrity's life is of any less value?????

[judgedredd]

A book worth reading - -

“Democratization And Political Corruption In The Philippines And South Korea: A Comparative Analysis” ISSN: 0925-4994 (Print) or, 1573-0751 (Online).

Synopsis of the book: The Philippines tried to reform their police, and never quite made it. The Filipina Police are still every bit as corrupt as the Thai Police. However, the South Korean Police were reformed almost over night.

Discussion: Using the South Korean model as a relevant example, how did they do it? Starting in 1975, the South Korean government was in the throes of a leadership change, and the new government decided to tackle the problem of police corruption.

In a nutshell, the South Koreans, in the space of three years, 1975-1978, turned their very corrupt police into practically a model of dedicated civil servants.

How did the South Koreans do it?

1.)Using their strong military, and relying on the Korean cultural traditions of obedience, loyalty, and “group-think”, simple decrees were issued. Overnight, it became illegal for police to accept bribes or to solicit bribes. It also became illegal for civilians to offer bribes.

2.)Punishment was swift and severe. The South Korean military was given the power, again by decree, to arrest non-complying cops, civilians, and gang members.

3.)Training programs and pay-boost programs for the police were immediately initiated.

4.)Older police were retired with adequate pensions.

5.)Younger police were recruited, trained at real police academies to Western standards, and given a pay grade competitive with other mid-level civil servants. The idealistic young recruits soon entirely replaced the corrupt older police.

Imagine duplicating that process here in Thailand. Imagine reforming all police, immigration, customs, and other civil servants in a 3-year programme, or even in a 5-year period.

Honestly, I don’t believe that the Thai Police will ever reform. They are the most profitable gang in Thailand, and well-placed Thais use the Thai police as “enforcers”

It would take an Act of God to reform the Thai Police. If Thailand merely tried to pit military against police, as they did in South Korea in 1975, perhaps the military would win, but maybe all you get then is a new gang replacing the old gang.

In my opinion, Thais do not have the ability to save themselves from their own decadence and moral rot. In 1975, the Korea War was only 22 years in the past, having been concluded in a ceasefire in 1953. South Korea was still under U.S.A. and U.N. supervision in 1975, and that external guidance made a big difference.

Thailand is in sore need of some serious “External Supervision”.

Just my opinion.

Judge Dredd

[Jai Dee]

DSI agrees to take on rogue border police case

Director of the Department of Special Investigations (DSI) Sunai Manomaiudom (สุนัย มโนมัยอุดม) expressed his thoughts that if victims or relatives do not feel confident in the investigation against a gang of rogue Border Police who were recently arrested for kidnapping and extorting a widowed millionaire, they may request that the DSI take over the matter.

Mr. Sunai stated that the DSI could accept the issue as a special case inline with a new law designed to protect citizens from offenders who hold influential positions in the state and to preserve the balance between public officers and civilians.

The DSI Director affirmed that the department is ready to receive any cases that may be overshadowed by the interference of private and public sector status.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 January 2008