Crooked Bangkok Cops Steal 2 Million Baht From Victims

[webfact]

Crooked Bangkok Cops Steal 2 Million THB from Victims

Three Bangkok policeman, including a vice squad leader, were arrested for stealing money from residents’ bank accounts after threatening them with false arrests. More than 40 people reported being victimized by the crooked cops, who stole more than 2 million THB from residents.

BANGKOK – September 1, 2012 [PDN]: the arrests of three corrupt police officers were coordinated by Pol. Lt. Col. Surawej Karnwattanasirikul, detective inspector of Thammasaka police station; and Pol. Capt. Sutep Janthawong, vice detective inspector.

The three suspects were arrested in the Bangyai area. They were identified as: Pol. Sen. Serg. Maj. Weerapong Samseemuang, age 46, the leader of the squad of Prevention and Suppression division, Samsen police station; Mr. Lar Seewichai , age 37, from Thai Yai; and Mr. Nattawut Wanijkornchai, age 42, from Chumporn.

Police also seized a bronze Toyota pickup truck with no license plate as evidence.

One of their victims, Mr. Sommai Loongyee, age 35, who works as a house painter, described to police how the crooked cops operated. In late April 2012, Mr. Sommai received a call from the suspects to paint a house in the Thai cement village at soi 10, Bangsue district and sub district.

On May 1, he went to the house. When Mr. Sommai reached the top of the soi, he called the suspects, who then said there was a change in plans, and told him to drive to soi 22.

When Mr. Sommai reached soi 22, he called them again. He also noticed a pickup truck circling around many times. When his cellphone rang, the pickup truck was parked in front of him.

The pickup truck driver was Pol. Sen. Serg. Maj. Weerapong, dressed in full police uniform. The officer got out of the car and told Mr. Sommai that he looked like the suspect that a police secret agent had told him would come to deliver drugs at this spot.

Full story: http://www.pattayada...b-from-victims/

-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-09-03

[TheWalkingMan]

Greedy pigs.

[AleG]

"Crooked Bangkok Cops Steal 2 Million THB from Victims"

I thought the headline was the result from a study, finding the average sum per cop per year.

[softgeorge]

Greedy pigs.

Don't be to harsh, they are just doing thier job.

[otherstuff1957]

According to the full article "More than 40 residents had reported thefts by the crooked cops at many Bangkok police stations". I guess it finally reached to point where even the police* couldn't just ignore it anymore!

* I'm trying to be polite and not describe them with words line corrupt, useless or incompetent.

[trainman34014]

The only reason they've been arrested is because they wouldn't share it out with their bosses !

[AleG]

According to the full article "More than 40 residents had reported thefts by the crooked cops at many Bangkok police stations". I guess it finally reached to point where even the police* couldn't just ignore it anymore!

* I'm trying to be polite and not describe them with words line corrupt, useless or incompetent.

Hey, don't be so harsh, investigative work takes time.

Do you have any idea how long it takes to make sure that catching these guys wouldn't upset someone higher up the ladder?

[OzMick]

Should be out on bail by tomorrow.

[chrisinth]

For whatever reason they were nicked, at least they were nicked! I wonder is this an actual change in policy for the police to go after these crooked cops, or is it an indication that the public is finally p1ssed off enough to make enough reports that it can't be ignored?

3 down, lots to go.............

[how241]

The only reason they've been arrested is because they wouldn't share it out with their bosses !

+1

[pointoffew]

The photo is dated 31/07/2012 - FWIW

[Tatsujin]

Will they simply be moved to inactive posts now though as seems to be the normal 'punishment' here . . . ?

[steveyinasia]

Surely no one is surprised by this news.

[ishan14]

"Police estimated that the men stole about 2 million baht from victims. The suspects will be charged with robbery, blackmailing, and detaining and holding other people against their will. They will be prosecuted according to law."

Explanation: They made big profits from the public with no share ,whatsoever, paid to the higher authorities. The suspects will be charged with all of the offences stated above, IF they still don't agree to pay the other officers their rightul share of the revenue generated from the Special Police Activities (SPA). They will be prosecuted according to the Law Of Sharing (LOS) in Thailand.

[BookMan]

I'm not sure who is more shocked. Myself at reading they had been arrested, or the photo of the cops themselves, who were actually arrested.

Good news anyway.

[Katipo]

If this isn't the best photo I've ever seen in TV

[daiwill60]

Personally I love the way the other cops are pointing at the guilty seated cops who are obviously the bad guys as they are handcuffed. it is as if the guys standing are just trying to clear themselves of any association with these guys.. "It was them, Honestly , we wouldnt do anything like this at all ......" yeah right ...

[gp2002]

It looks like three of Thailand's finest will be up for a promotion.

[Skywalker69]

Now, that took me by surprise!!

[theblether]

There seems to have been a few stories over the last few months of cops being arrested for corruption.......maybe someone has been watching The Untouchables and fancies being the Thai Elliot Ness?.......anyway, the more the merrier, it's unacceptable and an embarrassment to Thailand.

[phuturatica]

3 down and a whole load more to go! Still, better than nothing being done!

[Phronesis]

Perhaps Siam Legal or another major Thai Law firm should start a common law class action representing these 40 or so victims to claw back any assets held by the three families of crooked cops. This action would be independant of the criminal charges, which are likely to not be properly prosecuted. The onus of proof for success in a civil case (balance of probabilities 51%) is also significantly lower than that required to prove a criminal offence (beyond reasonable doubt 99%).

A common law class action against the Police Department may also be actionable by the victims upon the basis of a gross breach of duty of care.

Edited September 3, 2012 by Phronesis

[indyuk]

Fancy that Thai cops catching Thai cops moonlighting on their superiors. No wonder they are humiliating their own kind for moonlighting on the graft game. If they allow this go unchecked the whole frigging police graft system will collapse.

[transam]

3 down and a whole load more to go! Still, better than nothing being done!

An incredible ''load'' to go.

BUT, a lot of sifting to do to not ''upset or involve'' bigger, eeeeeeeeeeer, you know what l mean.

[bushman1666]

Surely no one is surprised by this news.

Surprised they were arrested, and in view of the public.

[Somtamnication]

Never seen a cop arrested in plain uniform, in LOS. Wonderful news!

[1bbcd5]

this is really cool, I like here!

[hellodolly]

Perhaps Siam Legal or another major Thai Law firm should start a common law class action representing these 40 or so victims to claw back any assets held by the three families of crooked cops. This action would be independant of the criminal charges, which are likely to not be properly prosecuted. The onus of proof for success in a civil case (balance of probabilities 51%) is also significantly lower than that required to prove a criminal offence (beyond reasonable doubt 99%).

A common law class action against the Police Department may also be actionable by the victims upon the basis of a gross breach of duty of care.

Not sure they have laws here in Thailand that would allow that.

[drdoom6996]

Should be out on bail by tomorrow.

Suspended sentences yet to come.

[hellodolly]

There seems to have been a few stories over the last few months of cops being arrested for corruption.......maybe someone has been watching The Untouchables and fancies being the Thai Elliot Ness?.......anyway, the more the merrier, it's unacceptable and an embarrassment to Thailand.

There does seem to be more cases of crooked cops being arrested in the last few months. I know the last two times my wife was stopped for no helmet she had to go into the police station and pay the fine.

Not sure how much will be done about it but it is a start.