Former CIB chief demands 3-5 million baht each from officers wanting promotions

[webfact]

Former CIB chief demands 3-5 million baht each from officers wanting promotions



BANGKOK: -- The former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) demanded each police officer wanting promotion or posting in significant duty to pay 3-5 million baht, Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumpanmuang revealed on Tuesday.

At a press conference today, Pol Gen Somyot said the arrest of these senior officers in the bribery team headed by the former CIB commissioner came after several police officers lodged complaints with the Royal Thai Police that they were unfairly treated in their annual reshuffles.

Investigations were conducted with investigators finding that the former commissioner conspired with the former marine police commander Pol Maj-Gen Boonsueb Praituen, Pol Col Wuthichat Luensukan, and Pol Col Akarawut Limrat in demanding 3-5 million baht from each police officer wanting promotion or posting in significant duty.

The finding was reported to the military junta which later ordered soldiers to jointly conduct searches with the police in 15 locations owned by and involved with the former CIB commissioner.

Cash and other assets amounted to over two billion baht were discovered and impounded, he said.

Pol Col Akarawut committed suicide November 20 after being questioned.

The team amassed altogether 50 million baht from those officers, he said.

The same officer Pol Maj-Gen Boonsueb also demanded money from oil smugglers in the South to give to the former CIB commissioner and his deputy Pol Maj-Gen Kowit Wongrungroj. In demanding money from oil smugglers, the gang abused the royal names, he said.

Money from the oil smuggling gangs amounted to 140 million baht, he said.

These officers also jointly ran a huge casino in Huey Kwang area in Bangkok, he said.

He said all these misdeeds have been running for years without actions by their bosses.

But Pol Gen Somyot made clear that throughout his past one year in office, these have been taken seriously.

He said he would never let things to go on unchecked but would deal with them drastically to create a new image for the police.

During the press conference, video footages inside the mansion of the former CIB commissioner was also shown by the police. The footages show where the cash in both Thai US currencies were hidden in security safes, rare Buddha images, ivory, artifacts, and also several luxury cars.

The police said assets displayed on video footages today was merely a small portion of the total assets impounded and seized.

Both Pol. Lt-Gen Pongpat and Pol Maj-Gen Kowit were charged with lese majeste, bribery, malfeasance in offence, accumulating benefits through the abuse of power and money laundering.

Pol Maj Boonsueb, Pol Col Wuthichat, Pol Senior Sgt Maj Surasak Chant-ngao and Pol Senior Sgt. Maj Chatrin Laothong face two charges, while PolCol Kowit Muangnuan and Ms Sudathip Muangnuan are to be charged with violating wildlife conservation and marine navigation laws while Ms Sawong Mungthieng and Rerngsak Saknarongdej are charged with possession of protected animal carcasses.

As for Chorb and Piyaphan Chinprapha, these two will be charged with bribery.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/former-cib-chief-demands-3-5-million-baht-officers-wanting-promotions


-- Thai PBS 2014-11-25

[mrtoad]

So is Chalerm singing?

[Anthony5]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

[webfact]

Third senior Thai police officer charged with royal defamation

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Thai police said Tuesday they have charged a third high-ranking officer with lese majeste and all three with corruption, confiscating $61 million in assets in what has become a rare internal probe of the country's top brass.

Authorities announced the royal defamation charge against marine police chief Boonsueb Praithuen, making him the third charged alongside Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayapun and his deputy Kowit Vongrongrot in the widening probe.

Under Thailand's lese majeste legislation, one of the world's strictest, anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.

The three senior officers, who have been dismissed from their posts, are also facing a slew of bribery and corruption charges -- including the running of illegal gambling and oil rackets -- in what police described as "Pongpat's network".

Four more officers and five civilians have also been charged in the probe, though they are not currently charged under the lese majeste law, national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said.

"The suspects had been making false claims to gain benefits through police promotions, illegal gambling and illegal oil trading," Somyot said at a press conference in Bangkok in reference to the lese majeste charges.

He did not elaborate on the nature of the "false claims" made in relation to the charge.

Even repeating details of the charges could mean breaking the law under section 112 of Thailand's criminal code.

"This case is very important and very sensitive so police may not make detailed disclosures about the ongoing investigations," Somyot said.

Police said they have confiscated an estimated two billion baht ($61 million) worth of assets from 15 different locations.

Confiscated goods were projected onto a screen and showed a treasure trove of luxury items including ivory tusks, antique furniture, dozens of Buddhist and Hindu statues, paintings, gold ingots, jewellery, two motorbikes and hard cash, both in baht and foreign currencies.

Somyot said he was confident further assets were hidden and that Pongpat had confessed to the charges against him.

Rights groups say there has been a rise in both charges and convictions under Thailand's royal slur law since the army seized power on May 22.

Under martial law -- declared two days before the coup by then-army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who is now premier -- suspects are tried under military courts, where there is no right to appeal. Earlier cases were handled in civilian courts.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-11-25

[Nickymaster]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

Really? Are you saying that Chalerm, Tharit and Thaksin knew about this for over 10 years??

[Anthony5]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

Really? Are you saying that Chalerm, Tharit and Thaksin knew about this for over 10 years??

I don't know about them, but for sure Somchai the somtam seller was well informed about.

[WitawatWatawit]

The consequence of this could be a surge in lower-level corruption. Just imagine all those officers who have borrowed heavily to buy promotions which would give them greater money-making opportunities to pay back the loans. The poor diddums are now up the creek, and the only way they will be able to pay off their debts (many lenders are fellow cops) is to increase their current nefarious activities.

Maybe not, but at this stage it's amusing to think about.

[Artisi]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

...... but extremely difficult to act on when the "top" is involved as well, even if it is a public secret. And further, it wouldn't seen by the former (Thaksin / YL) government as they were far too busy running their own scams and nest feathering.

Can just imagine the chit chat between Thaksin to YL - "don't worry dear theirs is only the crumbs - we have the rice scam scheme, leave them alone and get on with your scamming job of getting me home".

Wonder when Mr Ear medicine's number will come up.

[EyesWideOpen]

It would be great if General Prayut hired a forensic accounting team, and worked out

where all that money came from. Oh guess that will not be happening.....

[Artisi]

The consequence of this could be a surge in lower-level corruption. Just imagine all those officers who have borrowed heavily to buy promotions which would give them greater money-making opportunities to pay back the loans. The poor diddums are now up the creek, and the only way they will be able to pay off their debts (many lenders are fellow cops) is to increase their current nefarious activities.

Maybe not, but at this stage it's amusing to think about.

No payments is likely to cause an increase of falls from great heights.

[Boxclever]

This has been the system for the past 1XXX years and probably will be for the next 1XXX years too! This is nothing more than a witch hunt.

[kkup]

Lucky guys who got to raid the homes and find the stashes.. One for you, one for me..

[terryp]

nothing new here been going on for 40 years that I know of...instead of sweeping up old matters that are commonly known about; why not DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT <deleted>

[Cuchulainn]

Lucky guys who got to raid the homes and find the stashes.. One for you, one for me..

.....one for Dubai........

Edited November 25, 2014 by Cuchulainn

[Tatsujin]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

Really? Are you saying that Chalerm, Tharit and Thaksin knew about this for over 10 years??

Just checking ... you're being sarcastic, right?

[Tatsujin]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

...... but extremely difficult to act on when the "top" is involved as well, even if it is a public secret. And further, it wouldn't seen by the former (Thaksin / YL) government as they were far too busy running their own scams and nest feathering.

Can just imagine the chit chat between Thaksin to YL - "don't worry dear theirs is only the crumbs - we have the rice scam scheme, leave them alone and get on with your scamming job of getting me home".

Wonder when Mr Ear medicine's number will come up.

2 billion baht is "crumbs"? And you seriously think that a hell of a lot more than that didn't get kicked higher up to the person that helped get these men their positions?

[bruceybonus]

Pol Gen Somyot Phumpanmuang has got the brassest of brass necks!!

[Thailand]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

Really? Are you saying that Chalerm, Tharit and Thaksin knew about this for over 10 years??

This is standard in Thailand for "promotion", not just police, but military and many other professions. Buying jobs to get in the position to get the money from those wanting to move up the ladder.

Chances are many of those currently in power got to their senior ranks by this means.

[Laughing Gravy]

It is hardly a secret that this is the norm here. disgraceful but seems to be an accepted part of how one gets promoted. I assume he and the others will be charged? I have just seen pigs flying outside my window. More than likely they will get promoted to an inactive post.

Seriously this practice is rife amongst many government corporations here and businesses. it would seem that these few have pissed off the current people in power. It would be nice to think that those who join the Police, Army, Customs etc, do so for the good of the people and not for their own benefit,

[angsta]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

Discovered? Do you really think the police and the army are both fine examples of meritocracy?

If we knew then it's fair to say so did they.

Spoiler: They knew but they didn't/don't really care unless they can use it for leverage.

[garrya]

It's a pleasure to have seen what's going on, but this is not even scratching the surface. You want a promotion at a school? Pay. Promotion at a bank? Pay. Promotion at the local council? Pay. Promotion anywhere? Pay. Dirty money has taken over the country and, unfortunately, there is no way out.

Millions and millions are involved in some kind of bribery.

[EyesWideOpen]

Am a bit surprised by the LM accusations being leveled. It would appear that these

guys were all about money, why would they rock the boat with LM statements ??

Maybe in a corrupt country, corruption charges do not really stick. If you want

to put someone away for a long time, throw in a few LM charges...

[Ricardo]

This has been the system for the past 1XXX years and probably will be for the next 1XXX years too! This is nothing more than a witch hunt.

"This is nothing more than a witch hunt."

and which appears to have caught some senior witches, Good !

[harrycallahan]

Might have Rene Rivkin's gold necklace in that stash.

[monkeycountry]

Which means it is fair to assume that each and every officer that has ever been promoted by the former CIB chief is corrupt, as it is unlikely they would otherwise have 5 million baht to pay for a promotion. As I assume promotions are recorded somewhere, those investigating this should now have a list of suspects to investigate.

Edited November 25, 2014 by monkeycountry

[Anthony5]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

...... but extremely difficult to act on when the "top" is involved as well, even if it is a public secret. And further, it wouldn't seen by the former (Thaksin / YL) government as they were far too busy running their own scams and nest feathering.

Can just imagine the chit chat between Thaksin to YL - "don't worry dear theirs is only the crumbs - we have the rice scam scheme, leave them alone and get on with your scamming job of getting me home".

Wonder when Mr Ear medicine's number will come up.

2 billion baht is "crumbs"? And you seriously think that a hell of a lot more than that didn't get kicked higher up to the person that helped get these men their positions?

The article in BP states that the total of cash and assets confiscated tops 10 billion.

[monkeycountry]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

Really? Are you saying that Chalerm, Tharit and Thaksin knew about this for over 10 years??

If you are the PM, Chief of police, chief of DSI or similar, and you are well aware that many senior police officers are rich way beyond what could be expected from their salary, and you do not initiate an investigation, which you have the power to do, then you should be charged with dereliction of duty as a minimum.

[Artisi]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

...... but extremely difficult to act on when the "top" is involved as well, even if it is a public secret. And further, it wouldn't seen by the former (Thaksin / YL) government as they were far too busy running their own scams and nest feathering.

Can just imagine the chit chat between Thaksin to YL - "don't worry dear theirs is only the crumbs - we have the rice scam scheme, leave them alone and get on with your scamming job of getting me home".

Wonder when Mr Ear medicine's number will come up.

2 billion baht is "crumbs"? And you seriously think that a hell of a lot more than that didn't get kicked higher up to the person that helped get these men their positions?

I was speaking metaphorically, and possibly it was another of the fugitive camel herders mistake in under estimating the scope of this scam.

[orange31]

So finally they discovered what was a well known public secret for a few decades already.

Really? Are you saying that Chalerm, Tharit and Thaksin knew about this for over 10 years??

This is standard in Thailand for "promotion", not just police, but military and many other professions. Buying jobs to get in the position to get the money from those wanting to move up the ladder.

Chances are many of those currently in power got to their senior ranks by this means.

It's just mafia... almost every part of government office here seems to be run like a mafia organisation.

it's a shame really. In Western countries if people break the law and receive a fine, that money goes back into the government coffers and gets put back into schools, hospitals, roads, infrastructure etc. Over here, that fine for the most part just gets split up between the police and other officials.

Thailand would be such a better place if this didn't happen. It's a wonder that the general Thai population don't see this ??

[loonodingle]

10 Billion is now 2 Billion.... did it evaporate