Bangkok Police officers suspended over alleged extortion of Italian tourists

[Bagwan]

It seems that there are still those that come here who do not have a clue about the Interpol organisation and their function. Interpol have no powers in any country in the World.

[travelman]

Bravo. Long live the Thai Police.Keep up with Good bad and ugly work.

[trainman34014]

This is fair warning to all foreigners. Beware of this kind of activity by police and Thailand in general. You are at risk any time anywhere in Thailand.

At risk yes!! from the moment you step off the plane until you are sitting in the plane and in the air on your outward journey

And even 'sitting in the plane' is a risk if it's a Thai Airways 25 year old clapped out 747; so don't count your chickens until you've landed.

[evadgib]

We have yet to see anything explaining how this was triggered in the first place.

Edited August 24, 2013 by evadgib

[Gsxrnz]

"The case therefore potentially brings shame upon the entire police force, due to its global exposure."

An interesting choice of words, which seems to imply that were it not for the global exposure, there would be no shame brought upon the police force?

Those words appear in different forms in most reports of Thai police or government corruption being exposed internationally.

The government, police, army, press, and general public work on the "tree falling over in the forest" theory - If nobody heard it, it didn't necessarily happen.

[unanimosity]

Thong Lor/ Lumpini police...Nana Racha hotel staff bank accounts...Uzbek 'translator' and ...?

It's just like a child's join the dots to get the complete picture game.

I wonder what it will look once completed?

Smoke and mirrors.

[Sailingbum1]

thanks to an Interpol inquiry conducted after the victims' families lodged a complaint.

Those dam_n meddling farangs at Interpol tarnishing the good image of Thailand's Police and the country. There wouldn't even be an issue if it wasn't for outside interference.

Just wait till TAT gets over there and gives you what for. How dare these foreigners tarnish Thailand's reputation.

LOL the shame was in getting caught . Not that it was business as usua (sic)l. TV should throw a party for the wops.. Job well done.

[samran]

Either something not being said, I've misread something, or just <deleted> journalism, but for the life of me I don't know of any Barclays ATM or Bank at All Seasons Place.

[SOTIRIOS]

.......if not it would have been business as usual.....

[maamoot]

I'd like to see a police photo with the Italian victims pointing their fingers at the Thai cops.

Oh please please please , let this happen !

[Sailingbum1]

Thong Lor/ Lumpini police...Nana Racha hotel staff bank accounts...Uzbek 'translator' and ...?

It's just like a child's join the dots to get the complete picture game.

I wonder what it will look once completed?

Smoke and mirrors.

Remember in the first aocunt the cops called the hotel first before sending a rescue squad ( the missing major). This gave the Sgt majors escape time while the lieutenants were left holding the cazoli

[Gsxrnz]

We have yet to see anything explaining how this was triggered in the first place.

Pretty obvious I would have thought - inherent corruption is the cornerstone of the Royal Thai Police modus operandi. A kidnapping scam is just another day at the office for them. They don't need a "trigger".

In effect the police were actually performing their official duty to extract as much cash as they can from any kind of scam they can dream up. The plan was pretty good, however their performance was a little amateurish.....but that's not unusual.

[Tywais]

Either something not being said, I've misread something, or just <deleted> journalism, but for the life of me I don't know of any Barclays ATM or Bank at All Seasons Place.

From the Barclays website

Bangkok

21st Floor, CRC Tower

All Seasons Place

87/2 Wireless Road

Lumpini, Phatumwan

Bangkok 10330

Thailand

[kiwiinasia]

Using an Uzbek national as translator.

Shows you how pitiful the Thai cops are at communicating with foreigners.

Next time they should pick on some old chinese business woman banking 5m baht from her noodle shop on a sunday.

[wprime]

alleged they say !!! not even sure, maybe it was someone else.....

They have to use that word, otherwise they'll face a criminal defamation suit.

[chrisinth]

The hammer really should be brought down on this one, all the evidence is there to really slam Lumpini police station.

Quick hint to anyone finding themselves in a predicament like this, no matter how daunting it may sound, if you are brought to a police station, as was the case here when they were interviewed by a 'major' at the station, do not say anything until you have legal representation present. Even if it means being locked up for a while.

How this crew have got away with this in the past (I am assuming it is not a one off as it ran so smoothly) defies logical comprehension.

Most, if not all, ATM's in that area are fitted with bank CCTV, recording any tampering and transactions. Proof of innocence from allegations.

Lumpini police station, where is the incident report of this alleged offence? This in itself opens the doors for an in-depth investigation if this hasn't been recorded. If it involves a major at this station, how far further up the proverbial ladder does this go?

Why, or what threats were used that the Italians obediently followed instructions for the money transfers?

And of course, the money being transferred to accounts of the hotel expand the circle of involvement.

Absolutely mind-blowing that something like this can (almost!) be got away with in this day and age....................

[allan michaud]

What this issue higlights to me is with regard to the significant ranks of some involved. These are not simple traffic or beat cops and they hail from stations in the heart of the tourist belt.

This is the quality and character of what this country promotes in it's police force.

When you review the ranks opposite the rather poultry sum involved then it is not difficult to fathom how the rich and priveledged in this country can treat the law with impunity as there is a multitude within the RTP just waiting to get paid off. Criminal entrepeneurism in uniform.

2 million baht is a poultry sum? where do you come from?

[klauskunkel]

This is bad stuff. If the perps had been successful, they could have easily killed the Italians to cover up their crime.

The headline says "alleged extortion", it should include "kidnapping" as the more serious charge. We are so used to police extortion here, it doesn't even raise an eyebrow anymore...

[robblok]

It would be nice if this went global, warning of many people and if the global press kept following this. But there is of course little chance for this happening. These are the things the government should do something about but when you got crooks in government the hopes for honest people anywhere else is low.

[Neurath]

What this issue higlights to me is with regard to the significant ranks of some involved. These are not simple traffic or beat cops and they hail from stations in the heart of the tourist belt.

This is the quality and character of what this country promotes in it's police force.

When you review the ranks opposite the rather poultry sum involved then it is not difficult to fathom how the rich and priveledged in this country can treat the law with impunity as there is a multitude within the RTP just waiting to get paid off. Criminal entrepeneurism in uniform.

2 million baht is a poultry sum? where do you come from?

What's a poultry sum? .... Chicken feed.

[yougivemebaby]

If they have half a brain they would hire the best PR FARANG firm their cheap claws could handle.

[YeaBiGgiEs]

"suspended"? Is that with or without pay?

Also just 3 charges? Perhaps laws in Thailand are more accurately defined and prosecutable. Whereas in other countries these 3 charges could be blown up 10-fold. Merely adding "Conspiracy to commit..." to each of those now doubles the amount of charges, providing more room for plea-bargaining.

[SteveBarringtonGilmartin]

Just one more case of extortion, against foreigners, in the land of scams, after more than 20 years here I have had enough of it, In that time I have been ripped off for large amounts of cash twice by so called reputable Thai businesses,

and like most of the people I know, I am sick of being too often short changed, overcharged, and lied to etc etc, and to the Buddha wearing, gone native guys, who will say "if you don't like it go home" I will inform you, that's exactly what I am doing, I

have sold up and bought a ticket home, and I cannot wait to go, The good times are over!

[EyesWideOpen]

Another chink in the facade that this group of monkeys in brown uniforms is supposed to uphold the law,

when in fact they are nothing more than extortionists with a government franchise.

Their mission in life is not to enforce the law, but rather to strip money from people. To even call them police

is absurd, and to append Royal in front of their name carries the absurdity even further. I have said it before

and I will say it again, fire every one of them, and start new with massive jail terms for behavior like this.

[Farangdam]

sad face...only misconduct case therefore he will tranfered to isan province with immediate effect. because he is from bangkok he will be promoted to station leader there.........lol

[pedro01]

What this issue higlights to me is with regard to the significant ranks of some involved. These are not simple traffic or beat cops and they hail from stations in the heart of the tourist belt.

This is the quality and character of what this country promotes in it's police force.

When you review the ranks opposite the rather poultry sum involved then it is not difficult to fathom how the rich and priveledged in this country can treat the law with impunity as there is a multitude within the RTP just waiting to get paid off. Criminal entrepeneurism in uniform.

2 million baht is a poultry sum? where do you come from?

You can buy a lot of chickens for two million baht.

[Thai at Heart]

Suspended? Not arrested yet

[Equalizer]

Thong Lor/ Lumpini police...Nana Racha hotel staff bank accounts...Uzbek 'translator' and ...?

It's just like a child's join the dots to get the complete picture game.

I wonder what it will look once completed?

Smoke and mirrors.

Remember in the first aocunt the cops called the hotel first before sending a rescue squad ( the missing major). This gave the Sgt majors escape time while the lieutenants were left holding the cazoli

[ben2203]

That should be the rajah hotel right

[samran]

@Tywas. Cheers for that. So nice and hidden. That is basically all offices there, didn't realise it was a functioning branch.