'Billions' of Baht worth of assets found at Thai CIB chief's home

[webfact]

'Billions' at CIB chief's home
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police have found billions of baht worth of assets at the home of Central Investigation Bureau commander Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan, who has been suspended from service after being charged with several crimes, including lese majeste, a police source said late yesterday.

Yesterday's search reportedly turned up cash in both Thai and US banknotes amounting to billions of baht, as well as gold bars, rare Buddha images and numerous amulets along with a large number of land title deeds.

Pongpat and six other policemen were being detained at seven metropolitan police stations as of last night, after they were all taken to Bangkok-based military barracks at around 1am yesterday for questioning.

Royal Thai Police spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri said earlier that Pongpat and the six others had confessed to their crimes. Three civilians accused of similar crimes were on the run and were being pursued by police, he said.

The cases would be clarified further and in greater detail at a press conference, said Prawut, who is also an assistant national police chief.

Senior police have rarely been charged with lese majeste.

Three civilians accused of similar crimes were on the run, he said.

As for the death of Pol Colonel Akkharawut Limrat, Prawut said a certificate issued by coroners on Friday said he suffered a broken spine at chest level, which was caused by a fall. Akkharawut, transferred from a top position along with Pongpat, had attempted suicide on three occasions after his transfer, he said.

Akkharawut was cooperative and gave useful information to police, he said.

"After giving his statements, he jumped off a building to kill himself out of distress and fear for prosecution, he said, adding that the colonel left a suicide note. Pongpat, his deputy Maj-General Kowit Wongrungroj and Akkharawut were transferred to inactive posts in an urgent transfer order late on November 11.

A police notice on Friday details their alleged crimes and lists eight more people - five police and the three civilians. Akkharawut had not been charged with any offence. His death was made known via social media posts yesterday.

Crime Suppression Division commander Chaithat Bunkham was transferred on November 13 but he was not on the notice, which comprises 10 people in total.

Another transfer order issued on November 14 resulted in a police commander being assigned to replace Colonel Watcharaphol Thongluan, commander of the CSD's Subdivision 5. Watcharaphol is also not on the notice.

Others on the list were Marine Police commander Maj-General Bunsueb Phrai-thuen, Samut Sakhon immigration chief Colonel Kowit Muangnual, Snr Sgt Major Surasak Jan-ngoa and Snr Sgt Major Chattrin Laothong.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Billions-at-CIB-chiefs-home-30248416.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-24

[webfact]

Huge amount of cash and valuables found in CIB chief’s house



BANGKOK: -- More than one billion baht in cash and many other valuables such as rare Buddha images and land title deeds were found in the house of Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Lt-Gen PongpatChayapong, according to informed police sources.

The sources said that police teams searched the houses of Pol Lt-Gen Pongpat and seven other policemen and civilians arrested by the police and seized large amount of cash and other valuables especially at the house of the CIB commissioner.

Police are now investigating to determine how the commissioner had amassed the assets.

Pol Lt-Gen Pongpat, his deputy, Pol Maj-Gen KowitWongrungroj and four other police officers were arrested on charges of malfeasance in office and bribe taking among others. They have all been temporarily relieved from police service pending investigation.

All the eight arrested suspects are currently separately held in eight different detention cells. Pongpat is held at Taopoon police station whereas his deputy is held at Paholyothin police station.

It was reported that a committee has been set up to consider disciplinary actions against the CIB commissioner and five other officers.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/huge-amount-cash-valuables-found-cib-chiefs-house


-- Thai PBS 2014-11-24

[KhunMoo]

Well well well - i guess most of us was wrong, looks like there are going to be some cleanup after all, good!

It will set a good example down the ranks. About time some of the big boys got named....

Let's hope the boys in green have the courage to clean up a bit in their own camp, as well

Edited November 24, 2014 by KhunMoo

[rasmus5150]

Strike one!!!

Only 999.999 to go.

[kingalfred]

It would usually be a major news story when a Central organization for crime detection was found to be the perps involved in a mass financial crime, undoubtedly over a long period, but in Thailand? Nothing new, <snip>

Edited November 24, 2014 by Jai Dee
Racist comment deleted

[bkkgooner]

1 billion baht in cash

What a disgusting piece of sh*t

When are Thais going to take to the streets and demand the police force is ripped up from the roots and reformed

[kalbo123]

Hope they use part of that money to compensate the innocent Burmese boys in Koh Tao!

[Chang_paarp]

That comes under the title of unexplained wealth. More than all but one or two politicians, more than they declare.

[JOC]

The expensive Bhudda-amulets didn't help him this time around!!

Maybe they were copies??

[h90]

Well well well - i guess most of us was wrong, looks like there are going to be some cleanup after all, good!

It will set a good example down the ranks. About time some of the big boys got named....

Let's hope the boys in green have the courage to clean up a bit in their own camp, as well

As old cynic who always rant that nothing is going to change, I must admit something is changing.....

[h90]

1 billion baht in cash

What a disgusting piece of sh*t

When are Thais going to take to the streets and demand the police force is ripped up from the roots and reformed

Well everyone know since decades.....We have also a small police boss in the street......Looking his cars and his house everyone knows that something must be wrong. Mai pen rai.....

[kalbo123]

This looks like a declaration of war from the Army towards the Police, wonder where this ends.

[WilliamCave]

Good one catch the big guys at the top

Good start

Keep the momentum going

I think mr Taksin is worried now one of his best friends at the top is grabbed .

From what I read they are now being held in a military barracks were moved at 1 am this morning

My wife's take on it is they kept very quiet until now about moving them so no one has a chance to talk to them or maybe kill them selves as with one of them or is it suicide ?

Hats off to th general this time got my vote today maybe not tomorrow things change daily

[smutcakes]

Hats of the the powers that be on this one.

Lets hope this case is pursued properly and appropriate custodial sentences dished out.

Its a tiny tip of a huge iceberg, but its a start.

I expect these guys have stepped on the wrong toes, or pinned their flags on the wrong ship.

Hopefully its a sign of things to come, not just a purge of a few wrongly aligned ones.

[MobileContent]

Well done

[smedly]

I'm going to predict that this is drugs related - have the police/army followed the money right to the top

The big haul last week might be a clue

[Tatsujin]

Well well well - i guess most of us was wrong, looks like there are going to be some cleanup after all, good!

It will set a good example down the ranks. About time some of the big boys got named....

Let's hope the boys in green have the courage to clean up a bit in their own camp, as well

Yes, but is it a coincidence that (unless I'm mistaken) so far ALL of these transfers arrests etc are for pro-Thaksin/PTP supporters/lackeys?

[worgeordie]

"I was just keeping them safe",honest gov.

just goes to show how corrupt the police

are and up to now,how they think they can

get away with it,"the times they are a changing"

Regards Worgeordie

[JOC]

Well well well - i guess most of us was wrong, looks like there are going to be some cleanup after all, good!

It will set a good example down the ranks. About time some of the big boys got named....

Let's hope the boys in green have the courage to clean up a bit in their own camp, as well

<snip>

/Mod edit: 11) You will not post slurs, degrading or overly negative comments directed towards Thailand, specific locations, Thai institutions such as the judicial or law enforcement system, Thai culture, Thai people or any other group on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Edited November 24, 2014 by Jai Dee
Rules

[steelepulse]

>>Police are now investigating to determine how the commissioner had amassed the assets.

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that he earned this illicitly.

[Tatsujin]

Hats of the the powers that be on this one.

Lets hope this case is pursued properly and appropriate custodial sentences dished out.

Its a tiny tip of a huge iceberg, but its a start.

I expect these guys have stepped on the wrong toes, or pinned their flags on the wrong ship.

Hopefully its a sign of things to come, not just a purge of a few wrongly aligned ones.

It's a purge of those that have the wrong political affiliations, friends or paymasters, nothing more, nothing less and it won't go any deeper than that.

[Sarathi]

Lets be clear - this is not a 'clean-up', but a 'clean-out' of political opponents.

[smutcakes]

Hats of the the powers that be on this one.

Lets hope this case is pursued properly and appropriate custodial sentences dished out.

Its a tiny tip of a huge iceberg, but its a start.

I expect these guys have stepped on the wrong toes, or pinned their flags on the wrong ship.

Hopefully its a sign of things to come, not just a purge of a few wrongly aligned ones.

It's a purge of those that have the wrong political affiliations, friends or paymasters, nothing more, nothing less and it won't go any deeper than that.

I know that, but was trying to write a positive reply that did not put a negative political spin on it.

[smedly]

This looks like a declaration of war from the Army towards the Police, wonder where this ends.

what ? might be a good start to explain were he got the money from

Thaksin's billons end up in pockets here, it's a great motivator, makes me "red" with rage sometimes

Can you imagine the wealth of someone like the ex DSI chief - if the little short man stands on his wallet he's taller than Baiyoke Sky Hotel - dig up his garden

[JOC]

Well well well - i guess most of us was wrong, looks like there are going to be some cleanup after all, good!

It will set a good example down the ranks. About time some of the big boys got named....

Let's hope the boys in green have the courage to clean up a bit in their own camp, as well

Yes, but is it a coincidence that (unless I'm mistaken) so far ALL of these transfers arrests etc are for pro-Thaksin/PTP supporters/lackeys?

Even if you are right, do you think that the colour of their shirt, should allow them to steal billions??

The masterchief in Dubai and his small gangsters doing their best to rob the Thai population!!

[kotsak]

Hats of the the powers that be on this one.

Lets hope this case is pursued properly and appropriate custodial sentences dished out.

Its a tiny tip of a huge iceberg, but its a start.

I expect these guys have stepped on the wrong toes, or pinned their flags on the wrong ship.

Hopefully its a sign of things to come, not just a purge of a few wrongly aligned ones.

It's a purge of those that have the wrong political affiliations, friends or paymasters, nothing more, nothing less and it won't go any deeper than that.

Exactly, similar to the police colonel who was found dead in an apparent suicide after he was purged.. The fact that he was cremated in record time, for Thai standards, raised a lot of questions :>

[NextStationBangkok]

This is reality of Thailand. When responsible army official siphoning off Billion Baht of public money, why politicians dare not to be corrupt ?

[Sviss Geez]

Hope they use part of that money to compensate the innocent Burmese boys in Koh Tao!

The two men arrested for the murders there have not even been appeared in court yet, so unless you have access to the ThaiVisa crystal ball you don't know whether they are innocent of those crimes or not.

[chrisrazz]

Whilst I applaud this development, I do however, wonder what will happen to the loot.

Edited November 24, 2014 by chrisrazz

[JOC]

A reminder to the posters here, who think corruption is "charming", because they can away with 200 baht on the roadside for not wearing a helmet.

No corruption is a dangerous cancer, that costs Thailand billions every year and get people killed!!

Nothing "charming" about that!!

And the worst culprits are the socalled police, all the way to the very top!!