Ex-Massage Parlor Tycoon Chuvit Rubs Away Thailand's Police Chief

[webfact]

Ex-Massage Parlor Tycoon Rubs Away Thailand's Police Chief

By Richard S. Ehrlich

BANGKOK, Thailand -- When voters recently elected a crude, joke-cracking, former massage parlor tycoon to parliament, no one expected him to immediately unleash a video sting against Thailand's biggest illegal casino, and topple the country's chief of police, plus the military-installed head of the National Security Council.

"I have been removed for a reason which has nothing to do with my ability or my shortcomings," Thawil Pliensri, the ousted National Security Council secretary-general, said on September 7.

All the chaos and drama is thanks to the wise guy tactics of Chuvit Kamolvisit, who has even upset the U.S. State Department.

The American Embassy refused to issue Mr. Chuvit a visa to meet his two daughters and former wife in San Diego, California, because he previously owned several huge Bangkok massage parlors packed with sex workers and openly admitted to bribing police, he said.

"I stopped my massage parlors," a reformed Mr. Chuvit said in an interview while waxing nostalgic about his life in America in 1985 when he worked as a doorman at a sleazy sex club in New York City's Times Square.

"I miss my kids, who are American," he said, describing two California daughters, 24 and 26, from his first of three marriages.

The U.S. Embassy gave him a visa four years ago, he said, but "they don't give me the human right" to have another visa.

Now, instead of bribing cops, he is using his new seat in parliament to expose police who allegedly profit from lavish, illegal gambling dens equipped with baccarat tables, roulette wheels, card games and other betting games.

Most gambling is illegal in this Buddhist-majority country, though lotteries are permitted.

Mr. Chuvit, who boasts of being a hedonist, favors legalizing gambling and heads a tiny, four-man opposition Rak Thailand ("Love Thailand") party, which he uses as a personal soapbox.

After winning a July election, he stunned parliament in August by displaying an elaborate video sting he arranged which allegedly showed Thailand's biggest illegal casino was protected by police.

There are more than 170 illegal gambling dens of various sizes in Bangkok, winning a total of up to $6 billion each year -- with five to 20 percent of the profits allegedly paid to bribe police -- according to Rajabhat University's Good Governance program.

Hundreds of thousands of illegal gambling sites exist throughout Thailand.

Mr. Chuvit said he exposed the biggest one, which raked in about $500,000 every night from 1,000 gamblers in the heart of Bangkok.

"So it becomes about 450 million baht ($15 million) per month," in profit for police and others to share from just that one casino, Mr. Chuvit said, grinning with delight that his surprise "anti-corruption" crusade is wildly popular with Thailand's media and public.

"Let me tell you roughly about the illegal casino," he said, mimicking the voice of an imaginary policeman conspiring with cronies:

"These two tables, I give to you. You give me (bribes). These five tables, I give to that guy. Three tables, I give to that guy. And I charge you per table."

Asked who operated most of Thailand's illegal casinos, Mr. Chuvit replied, "I think 100 percent are with the police getting money from the illegal casinos."

Anyone else who wants to open an illegal gambling den has to pay off the cops, he said.

"They cannot open without the permission of the police. If you are the big guy from the army, you have to still be paying the police."

Amazingly, Mr. Chuvit expects to survive in this Southeast Asian nation where contract killings are common, despite exposing lucrative kickbacks.

"The media protects me. That keeps me alive. Because I am still in the spotlight," he said in the interview on August 31.

Others speculate that he protects himself by possessing evidence of much wider corruption and illegal activity, which could be published if he were murdered.

His video sting against the illegal casino appeared to be cleverly planned.

Mr. Chuvit showed his first video in parliament on August 23, which reportedly revealed the lush interior of a huge, expensively equipped illegal casino packed with gamblers.

He voiced mock outrage that police had not closed down Thailand's biggest casino, alleging that the cops were corrupt.

Despite that spotlight, police waited three days before staging a raid, and then announced that Mr. Chuvit was wrong because the building was empty.

"I know the police will be late," Mr. Chuvit said at a news conference earlier on August 31, describing his two-part sting.

So, Mr. Chuvit whipped out his second video, purportedly shot from a nearby rooftop, showing men and trucks emptying the casino's gambling tables and equipment during the three days while the police hesitated.

"Every night, they move everything. The ceiling, the carpets, the tables, the chairs, everything...They can move it in three days. Unbelievable," he said.

As a result of Mr. Chuvit's videos, National Police Chief Gen. Wichean Potephosree was forced to resign last week.

A Royal Thai Police Office committee began investigating 10 other senior police officers for alleged involvement in the case.

"It is impossible that a large casino can open in the heart of Bangkok, and top-ranking police officers are not aware of it, and do not give a nod to the casino operator," said Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, a fearsome former police captain.

Gen. Wichean's downfall pleased newly elected Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra because the police chief was perceived as biased against her supporters during the past several months.

Mrs. Yingluck replaced him with Gen. Wichean's deputy, Police Gen. Priewpan Damapong, who is the elder brother of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's ex-wife.

Mr. Thaksin is Mrs. Yingluck's brother.

The military overthrew him in a 2006 coup and he is now a fugitive based in Dubai, dodging a two-year jail sentence for corruption.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council's secretary-general, Mr. Thawil, was also ousted so Gen. Wichean could have his job.

Mr. Thawil was apparently targeted because last year he helped the military crush anti-coup Red Shirt protesters who support Mrs. Yingluck and Mr. Thaksin.

"You need an expert, the expert to fight about corruption," Mr. Chuvit said at the news conference.

"Have you ever seen 'Catch Me If You Can'?" he asked, referring to the Hollywood film portraying the true story of an American con artist -- played by Leonardo DiCaprio -- who, after arrest, worked for the FBI to bust forgers.

"I can become the specialist about corruption because I know the corruption.

"I used to pay," he said, referring to $5 million in bribes, spread over 10 years, that he paid to corrupt officials to prevent raids on his massage parlors which had employed a total of 20,000 women.

Corruption is part of Thailand's "system" because "everybody pays," he said.

"If 95 people pay, and only five people don't pay, you become the minority. The majority pay."

He defended his former legally licensed massage parlors, which included the Copacabana, Victoria's Secret, Honolulu, Hi Class, Emmanuel, and Julianna.

"I say, 'What's wrong about the massage parlor? What's wrong? People who don't have sex is wrong.' It's not about the massage parlor is wrong.

"Yes, this is Thailand. I accept that the massage parlor is the biggest sex business in the world."

But the government and public remain hypocritical.

"If you ask them, 'Does Thailand have the sex business?' They will say, 'No'. 'Does Thailand do the illegal casino?' They say, 'Oh no, we are the Buddhists, we cannot do anything like that'."

Source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1109/S00175/ex-massage-parlor-tycoon-rubs-away-thailands-police-chief.htm

-- scoop.co.nz 2011-09-22

[geriatrickid]

I think the fickle hand of fate will pay this gentleman a visit.

[bangkapi]

Kudos ...

Don't stop there.

[saintofsilence]

Miracle Thailand "Hub of Corruption"

[thaikahuna]

The media protects him the same way that "see daeng" was protected? One would hope not....

Edited September 22, 2011 by thaikahuna

[landofthefree]

The media protects him the same way that "see daeng" was protected? One would hope not....

a former gangster turned supergrass eh ? I wouldnt sell him life insurance!

[VictorOne]

I think the fickle hand of fate will pay this gentleman a visit.

There might be some very embarrassed high ranked persons who will be caught in the net if he has (and I would imagine he has) done his homework well. In any developed (read non-banana republic) in the world this guy could bring the government, police and all other supposed 'hi-so's' down like a pack of cards.

As for Thai culture, there is more culture in an out of date yoghurt.

[Deez]

Love this guy.

[Just1Voice]

I think he is partially correct is saying the media protects him, but I also agree with those who feel this guy has VOLUMES of stuff stashed with trusted people that would be released and flooded into the media if some "accident" were to happen to him. I think those who are in precarious positions from this information, also know that, and what would happen to them if all this got out. And THAT is his protection.

I read an interview on him once a couple of years back. He laughed and said if he ever revealed the names of his most frequent and prominent users of his services, as well as all those he's had to bribe to stay in business, over half of Parliament and the BKK police force would be shamed, and divorces would be flooding the courts.

This guy might act like a "clown" at times, but trust me, you can bet he's covered his backside very well in case of an "accident".

[metisdead]

If you're going to use derogatory nicknames of the present PM and a former PM, expect to find your post removed.

[dknslowly]

Surely you all remember when Chuwit razed the slums on lower sukhumvit some time around 2001 (around the time he decided to get into politics if I remember correctly)? He then made it into a lovely park rather than the commercial building. Somewhat of a compromise but I'm getting off point.

There was a uproar & there were calls to have him arrested etc. He got out of jail/death threats by using two pieces of information very shrewdly.

1st - the video of the 'important' people who he paid off & subsequently invited to see the show (while he took a video) and;

2nd - a dossier on all the corrupt activities and bribes paid in the past to be released if he were ever murdered.

I tip my hat to him for his guts and desire to change the acceptance of corruption. He's the first one to really 'get at it' - many talk but he is a man of action. Sure, he's a media hungry showman. Does that change his message? And he's still alive! Fantastic stuff. When will the soap opera of his life be released?

[james24]

Now this is my type of guy. How long he'll be alive Im not sure

[timekeeper]

I think the fickle hand of fate will pay this gentleman a visit.

i don't think so

its far too late for that

the police threatened/attempted to kill him before

so he turned QE to save himself

[aaacorp]

This guy is THE GUY.... dam_n i love him and hope the next election he will be elected....

[Babcock]

Remember the Commerce minister from the last government. PORNtiva. Her only previous job was helping her mother run "Poseidon," her father's massive "massage parlour."

[Atoosa07]

Unless there is another coup and the police or the army will take him out

[Atoosa07]

All this is wonderful for Thailand image abroad I just hope there are no more problems this high season to effect tourism as there are millions in the service industry

[whybother]

Remember the Commerce minister from the last government. PORNtiva. Her only previous job was helping her mother run "Poseidon," her father's massive "massage parlour."

She should have been elected PM. Certainly more relevant experience than Yingluck.

[prvtdetdave]

I think the guys great as well.

At least he's no hypocrit. I knows how it works and has exposed it.

Remember also its a very grey area in regard to what is a bribe and what is extortion.

[ratcatcher]

I think the fickle hand of fate will pay this gentleman a visit.

Are you suggesting someone wishes k.Chuvit to be eradicated?

Surely k.Thaksin has also got his foes ? :-)

The difference is that k.Chuvit may be a hedonist and an opportunist but he is IN Thailand and has the balls to be here. Plus he has his record books,no doubt well protected and duplicated and very trustworthy hands.

Thaksin, on the other hand, is a craven coward and an egotist who is afraid to return to Thailand as we all know.

I think the line up to remove Thaksin is way longer than that to remove k.Chuvit.

Only time will tell.

[ratcatcher]

This guy is THE GUY.... dam_n i love him and hope the next election he will be elected....

Elected to where?

[prvtdetdave]

Remember the Commerce minister from the last government. PORNtiva. Her only previous job was helping her mother run "Poseidon," her father's massive "massage parlour."

She should have been elected PM. Certainly more relevant experience than Yingluck.

OK. so what do you know of Ms. Yingluck's background to validate your statement?

[SiamRose]

I also agree with those who feel this guy has VOLUMES of stuff stashed with trusted people that would be released and flooded into the media if some "accident" were to happen to him.

That can be just as dangerous. Anyone who wants that sort of information released, perhaps to make some room for someone keen to get into those sorts of business, just has to arrange for Chuwit to have an accident.

He laughed and said if he ever revealed the names of his most frequent and prominent users of his services, as well as all those he's had to bribe to stay in business, over half of Parliament and the BKK police force would be shamed,

No doubt, but the other half would be very happy with their improved career prospects.

Edited September 22, 2011 by SiamRose

[whybother]

Remember the Commerce minister from the last government. PORNtiva. Her only previous job was helping her mother run "Poseidon," her father's massive "massage parlour."

She should have been elected PM. Certainly more relevant experience than Yingluck.

OK. so what do you know of Ms. Yingluck's background to validate your statement?

Besides her being appointed to head 2 of Thaksin's companies, one position that was dumped after the company was sold, and one that her 29yo niece took on, does anyone know what experience she has?

I would have thought dealing with some of the people going through the massage parlour would be great experience for being PM.

[alstaxi]

Remember the Commerce minister from the last government. PORNtiva. Her only previous job was helping her mother run "Poseidon," her father's massive "massage parlour."

She should have been elected PM. Certainly more relevant experience than Yingluck.

OK. so what do you know of Ms. Yingluck's background to validate your statement?

That is the point , she has no background, no political experience, she has done nothing but perform puppet duties at big brothers businesses, she is qualified to sell som tam, maybe. Her business degree was the finest thaksin could buy.

[Thakkar]

"Every night, they move everything. The ceiling, the carpets, the tables, the chairs, everything...They can move it in three days. Unbelievable," he said.

See? The police are not ineffectual. They can be efficient and responsive.

T

[inquisitive]

Remember the Commerce minister from the last government. PORNtiva. Her only previous job was helping her mother run "Poseidon," her father's massive "massage parlour."

She should have been elected PM. Certainly more relevant experience than Yingluck.

OK. so what do you know of Ms. Yingluck's background to validate your statement?

I hope someone else can fill in the relevant details, but my understanding is that Yingluck's experience pretty much consists of a high position at her brother's company. She was "president" or had some other such wonderful title. When big brother sold the company to Temasek, Yingluck left. When her position was not then immediately filled by a new candidate it raised questions. Eventually Temasek stated that there was no need to replace Yingluck since she never actually did anything. I don't know what her large and beautiful office was eventually converted to.

Can someone else fill in the blanks here, or make corrections where I might have it wrong? Thanks.

[zaZa9]

I hope this guy thrives...

[rreddin]

Remember the Commerce minister from the last government. PORNtiva. Her only previous job was helping her mother run "Poseidon," her father's massive "massage parlour."

She should have been elected PM. Certainly more relevant experience than Yingluck.

OK. so what do you know of Ms. Yingluck's background to validate your statement?

That is the point , she has no background, no political experience, she has done nothing but perform puppet duties at big brothers businesses, she is qualified to sell som tam, maybe. Her business degree was the finest thaksin could buy.

Can you back up those statements with evidence, or are you intending to leave the country very soon?

It never ceases to amaze me how otherwise rational and intelligent people post defamatory comments such as those above and think they will only be seen by those members of this forum who care to read your post.. Your comments are in cyberspace for all the world to see. You should not be surprised if some people take umbrage.

[djlest]

I hope the man keeps it up...

And does some serious damage and exposes the current Gov true agenda as soon as possible,,,

Sadly i dont think he is sharp enough to do any damage - and not stable enough to be a serious contendor for Gov.

But still... He could bring in others into his party that can maintain the elements that he is missing

And that is what Thailand desperately needs right now

A new direction that is not red nor yellow nor smells like propaganda... :jap: