Bangkok Metropolitan Council president faces three serious charges for extorting vendors

[webfact]

BMC president faces three serious charges for extorting vendors



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police Tuesday imposed three charges against Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) president Phipat Larbpratthana after he was arrested by soldiers and police following complaints by sidewalk vendors of demanding protection fee.

Charges slapped on the BMC president are bribery, extortion, intimidation and racketeering.

He was earlier on August 14 escorted by army officer and Bang Rak police to the Crime Suppression Division for questioning following an accusation of extortion.

His adviser Prasert Prommi was earlier faced extortion charge.

CSD deputy chief Pol Col Prasobchoke Prommoon said Lt Col Burin Thongpraphai of the Judge Advocate-General’s Department requested Tuesday that charges be filed against the 54-year-old BMC president after evidence was sufficient to prosecute him.

But Mr Phipat denied all the charges insisting that he has been persecuted by some vendors in retaliation for his attempt to remove illegal street traders from the city’s sidewalks. He said he would prove his innocence in court.

Mr Phipat and Mr Prasert were taken into custody under martial law Aug 14 and will be held by the Criminal Suppression Division until at least Thursday.

Earlier street vendors near Wat Hua Lampong temple and the Sam Yan subway station alleged Mr Phipat and Mr Prasert of extorting money from vendors in the areas.

Vendors alleged they weren’t the only ones: On Aug 15, a Bang Rak city police was arrested for allegedly demanding similar payments from motorcycle taxi drivers.

(Photo : ThaiPBS file)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bmc-president-faces-three-serious-charges-extorting-vendors/


-- Thai PBS 2014-08-20

[BSJ]

Using his power to abuse the poor and lower class. Lets hope he feels the hurt.

[siampolee]

Yet again we see action regarding abuse of both position and power.

Why is it that these matters never brought to the surface before?

Seems as if the current administration is a darn sight more concerned about Thailand and its peoples as opposed to the personal gains of the previous family administrations of the last few years.

[96tehtarp]

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

[ezzra]

Is there any one out there who's not tainted with greed and corruption in this country?

every day you get to hear about this or that high ranking official who got caught with

his hand in the cookie jar....

[rametindallas]

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.

There is corruption everywhere you care to look. It's going to take time to organize a list of corrupt activities, form a plan of action, and act on the plan with the staff available. No sense doing a half-assed job of it. Have you never heard the saying, 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'

One thing for sure, I never saw so much good being done when the Democrats or any of Dr. Thaksin's puppet governments were in charge. I am amazed at how much positive change the NCPO has effected in such a short time.

Edited August 20, 2014 by rametindallas

[Bender]

isn't the guy who also charge foreigner 2000 baht when they drop their litter?

[96tehtarp]

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.

There is corruption everywhere you care to look. It's going to take time to organize a list of corrupt activities, form a plan of action, and act on the plan with the staff available. No sense doing a half-assed job of it. Have you never heard the saying, 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'

One thing for sure, I never saw so much good being done when the Democrats or any of Dr. Thaksin's puppet governments were in charge. I am amazed at how much positive change the NCPO has effected in such a short time.

"One thing for sure, I never saw so much good being done"

It appears that way because that's the way the media reports it. Reporting of corruption within the military or the NCPO is forbidden. The media is army controlled.

I have to admit it does appear to be heading in the right direction.

[ChrisY1]

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

Definately not.....almost all street vendors face the same fate......always paying for their existence.

These "protection" rackets have been ongoing for a long time......people threatening the poor with harm.

[Patje]

I swear I did not do it, they gave me the money because they like me !!

[media]

Another one bites the dust. love it

[chotthee]

The the vendors are legal, who can make them pay?

If they are not? Then what? Get rid of the vendors?

[biggles45]

I think the REAL proof of the effectiveness of the NCPO efforts against corruption like this will be if, and when, people are jailed/fined for their actions. We always used to read in the local papers about illegal activities being uncovered....never any reports of punishment though. Hopefully that scenario has changed

[CantSpell]

I am very disappointed by the lack of pointing in that picture.

Or is pointing only reserved to low income suspects?

Though seriously, big cop yesterday, BMC president today...

Some big fishes there....

if they keep the momentum going for something like 10-12 months, this may really deter corruption in the future..

[allan michaud]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.

There is corruption everywhere you care to look. It's going to take time to organize a list of corrupt activities, form a plan of action, and act on the plan with the staff available. No sense doing a half-assed job of it. Have you never heard the saying, 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'

One thing for sure, I never saw so much good being done when the Democrats or any of Dr. Thaksin's puppet governments were in charge. I am amazed at how much positive change the NCPO has effected in such a short time.

"One thing for sure, I never saw so much good being done"

It appears that way because that's the way the media reports it. Reporting of corruption within the military or the NCPO is forbidden. The media is army controlled.

I have to admit it does appear to be heading in the right direction.

True enough but then the media here has always been controlled by the current govt to their advantage so it's difficult to judge if they are doing a good job of reporting stories. As you say though, the boys in green appear to be meting out justice to scumbags on both sides of the colour divide. As the BMA was democrat run I assume this guy is a Dem too? They have a very long way to go to clean up Thailand.

[BradinAsia]

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

Surely you don't expect all the corruption to be wiped out in 24 hours.

From what we've seen so far, it's fair clear that the new military leadership is dead serious

about cleaning up the filth.

As long as they continue to show significant progress, should we not be applauding that?

[54321]

I hope the powers that be take a close look at school and recruitment agents and were the funding for foreign teachers is actually going,

[Cuchulainn]

Good.

Hope he gets everything coming to him.

Scumbag.

[khunken]

I swear I did not do it, they gave me the money because they like me !!

Yes, similar to Chalerm's defence of police extortion - just a Songkran 'donation'.

[Rorri]

chotthee, on 20 Aug 2014 - 11:43, said:

The the vendors are legal, who can make them pay?

If they are not? Then what? Get rid of the vendors?

Oh dear, you are so of topic...this is about corrupt officials, why is it so hard to stick to the story... unless you support the officials. Oh.. even legal vendors can be intimidated, it's called extortion... defined as:

the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.

[chaiyapoon]

Can't arrest everyone at once.No one left to run the country.

Doubt there is that many that haven't gained by using their position in some way to their or friends and families advantage.

Corruption comes in many forms and Thailand uses the lot.

Need to just go for a few big boys in all departments to make the smaller fish back off.But its going to be very difficult to stop long term.

Have to say never thought I'd see this in my life time.Don't stop keep this going maybe we will see long term change.

[MarkmBha]

AMAZING !

[peterdarby]

This is grabbing the bull by the horns in a good way - another one bites the dust, perhaps, but he deserves his day in court. There is no doubt that the anti corruption crusade will be used by some for personal vendettas, so the courts must pass judgement, not us spectators.

[moe666]

We have the judge, jury and hangman posting here, lets wait and see what happens before we hang him maybe he is speaking the truth wouldn't be the first time officials set up.

[whybother]

We have the judge, jury and hangman posting here, lets wait and see what happens before we hang him maybe he is speaking the truth wouldn't be the first time officials set up.

It's wouldn't be the first time an official is talking out their arse, either.

[SteveFong]

Yet again we see action regarding abuse of both position and power.

Why is it that these matters never brought to the surface before?

Seems as if the current administration is a darn sight more concerned about Thailand and its peoples as opposed to the personal gains of the previous family administrations of the last few years.

because now, it is a real military dictatorship,

there will no longer be minions profitting,

only the rulers,

welcome to reality

mafias are finally finished.

pimps are next

[Jaggg88]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.

There is corruption everywhere you care to look. It's going to take time to organize a list of corrupt activities, form a plan of action, and act on the plan with the staff available. No sense doing a half-assed job of it. Have you never heard the saying, 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'

One thing for sure, I never saw so much good being done when the Democrats or any of Dr. Thaksin's puppet governments were in charge. I am amazed at how much positive change the NCPO has effected in such a short time.

Nothing can be done unless ppl complain and no body complained before because they were ignored. It seems the current Junta are making a determined effort to reduce corruption so now is the time for the little guys to lodge official complaints.

[rametindallas]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.

There is corruption everywhere you care to look. It's going to take time to organize a list of corrupt activities, form a plan of action, and act on the plan with the staff available. No sense doing a half-assed job of it. Have you never heard the saying, 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'

One thing for sure, I never saw so much good being done when the Democrats or any of Dr. Thaksin's puppet governments were in charge. I am amazed at how much positive change the NCPO has effected in such a short time.

Nothing can be done unless ppl complain and no body complained before because they were ignored. It seems the current Junta are making a determined effort to reduce corruption so now is the time for the little guys to lodge official complaints.

Not only were the 'lowly' vendors ignored by the police, but the 'pu yai' who were extorting them would make their life even more miserable if they complained. Times are changing and I can only hope there is enough time/change for the people to realize they no longer have to allow themselves to be extorted. Think of the line from the movie, 'Network', "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore". Once the attitude of the people has changed, there will be no room for corruption as long as the new government is not corrupt. Good luck NCPO, NLA, etc. in changing the atmosphere here.

[96tehtarp]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

What about the other extortion rackets in Bangkok? Were these the only two bad apples in the basket?

Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.

There is corruption everywhere you care to look. It's going to take time to organize a list of corrupt activities, form a plan of action, and act on the plan with the staff available. No sense doing a half-assed job of it. Have you never heard the saying, 'Rome wasn't built in a day.'

One thing for sure, I never saw so much good being done when the Democrats or any of Dr. Thaksin's puppet governments were in charge. I am amazed at how much positive change the NCPO has effected in such a short time.

Nothing can be done unless ppl complain and no body complained before because they were ignored. It seems the current Junta are making a determined effort to reduce corruption so now is the time for the little guys to lodge official complaints.

Not only were the 'lowly' vendors ignored by the police, but the 'pu yai' who were extorting them would make their life even more miserable if they complained. Times are changing and I can only hope there is enough time/change for the people to realize they no longer have to allow themselves to be extorted. Think of the line from the movie, 'Network', "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore". Once the attitude of the people has changed, there will be no room for corruption as long as the new government is not corrupt. Good luck NCPO, NLA, etc. in changing the atmosphere here.

This is a lot like a "Yes we can!" moment isn't it?

As much as many people don't approve of the junta, everyone is pleased with the anti corruption focus which seems to be gaining traction.