Police Arrest Drug Suspect, Alleged Thai Army Accomplice

[webfact]

Police arrest drug suspect, alleged Army accomplice

The Nation

PATHUM THANI: -- Police yesterday arrested the alleged owner of a large haul of illegal drugs found last week in a rented Bangkok home, along with an Army major who allegedly provided the drug suspect with a military permit allowing him to drive through police checkpoints.

Niphon Kanchart, 54, was arrested yesterday morning at a housing estate in Pathum Thani province with Bt303,500 in cash. He admitted to owning or transporting the drugs - 71 kg of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice", and 3.8 million amphetamine tablets worth around Bt1 billion in total - which were found at a home in eastern Bangkok that he rented from an actress.

With the military's cooperation, police identified another suspect, Major Piyanat Jatejamras, an Army engineer attached to the Third Army Area in the North, who they said had issued military permits allowing Niphon to drive through police checkpoints within the capital and along routes between Bangkok and the North.

The case began when police attending the scene of a road accident, in which a Toyota sedan crashed into a wall on an eastbound expressway section, found a large quantity of drugs inside the car. Searching the sedan, police found a number of documents and a notebook computer leading to Niphon.

Among the documents were permits issued to Niphon by the Internal Security Operations Command, which offered a non-military course attended by him. Niphon later got to know Piyanat and the pair had since worked for drug agents in the North, police said. In a statement given to police, Niphon said he was paid Bt24 million for transporting the drugs to Bangkok, where they would be picked up by a man known only as Chen.

Police quoted Niphon as saying he had stopped acting as a drug courier in 2006, then resumed the activity in late 2010, when he worked together with the officer. Niphon said he normally received Bt0.50 for each tablet and Bt5,000 for every kg of "ice" delivered.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said police would soon detain the major after the Army gave initial approval for a joint investigation, and finally for detention under police custody.

He said Lt-General Pitiphak Pomnark, a commander under ISOC, only signed approval for the permit to be issued to Niphon for attending a course, and had nothing to do with him dealing drugs.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said a crackdown would soon be carried out against government officials involved in drug dealing or who utilise fake permits or identity cards.

-- The Nation 2012-01-26

[rkidlad]

With the military's cooperation, police identified another suspect, Major Piyanat Jatejamras, an Army engineer attached to the Third Army Area in the North, who they said had issued military permits allowing Niphon to drive through police checkpoints within the capital and along routes between Bangkok and the North.

If I were this army major, I'd just say the I gave him the military permit to bring over food and toys for orphan kids. I certainly never knew he was bringing drugs over; although, I did find it odd he was giving me so much money. I was too busy (protecting Thailand) to ask why.

Should get him off the hook. I've seen worse excuses.

[Kilgore Trout]

Wow, you would think that with all those drugs in the car (and checkpoint permits) the person would have driven the car carefully instead of crashing into a wall

[EvilDrSomkid]

71kg x 5000baht= 355,000 baht

3.8mil x 0.50baht= 1.9mill baht

total haul: 2.255 million baht.

Not bad for a few days work. Except if you get busted.

However, he must have done a few runs already, so must have a nice nest egg somewhere which he can purchase a get out jail free card with.

[sparebox2]

Please don't get the army involved.

The army main duty is to protect the Nation, Religion, and the King.

And GOOD coups, on a need to be basis.

Army don't do drug. Infact, under the royal project, army help to burn down poppy field, and turn them into fruit production field.

[jeffcool]

Please don't get the army involved.

The army main duty is to protect the Nation, Religion, and the King.

And GOOD coups, on a need to be basis.

Army don't do drug. Infact, under the royal project, army help to burn down poppy field, and turn them into fruit production field.

Well said.....

[FOODLOVER]

Please don't get the army involved.

The army main duty is to protect the Nation, Religion, and the King.

And GOOD coups, on a need to be basis.

Army don't do drug. Infact, under the royal project, army help to burn down poppy field, and turn them into fruit production field.

Well said.....

On Mars......

Edited January 26, 2012 by FOODLOVER

[timewilltell]

Please don't get the army involved.

The army main duty is to protect the Nation, Religion, and the King.

And GOOD coups, on a need to be basis.

Army don't do drug. Infact, under the royal project, army help to burn down poppy field, and turn them into fruit production field.

But they already are involved. If you truly think the army is not involved in drugs anywhere then you are living in a dream. Sorry.

Glad to see the Army at least co-operating with the police at least.

[blackthorn2005]

Major Piyanat Jatejamras = sacrificial lamb.

[GentlemanJim]

I think the executioner could be sharpening the metaphoric axe on this case. It does not bode well at all, for those implicated in the crime.

[phiphidon]

Please don't get the army involved.

The army main duty is to protect the Nation, Religion, and the King.

And GOOD coups, on a need to be basis.

Army don't do drug. Infact, under the royal project, army help to burn down poppy field, and turn them into fruit production field.

But they already are involved. If you truly think the army is not involved in drugs anywhere then you are living in a dream. Sorry.

Glad to see the Army at least co-operating with the police at least.

There's co-operating and co-operating of course:

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said police would soon detain the major after the Army gave initial approval for a joint investigation, and finally for detention under police custody.

He said Lt-General Pitiphak Pomnark, a commander under ISOC, only signed approval for the permit to be issued to Niphon for attending a course, and had nothing to do with him dealing drugs

[ralphlsasser]

Wow, you would think that with all those drugs in the car (and checkpoint permits) the person would have driven the car carefully instead of crashing into a wall

Maybe he was high on the drugs and crashed.