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

[thedude82]

and just think what new homes the billions of baht are going to be hid in... stealing from a man who stole, and this will continue...

[balo]

This is good news indeed. The army has done a lot of good work since the takeover.

I hope also foreigners living here can see this instead of continue the usual thai bashing.

[alfalfa19]

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...

I am a bit confused also. I am not sure where the LM charges come from. Also, I don't really understand how these guys are tied into the southern insurgents.

[jaywalker]

So the Thai cops admit there is a bit of corruption.

In other, breaking news today, it was announced that the sky is blue and water is wet.

[Neilly]

Why all the noise? i really do not get it

Getting into the force requires 300 000 plus and its no secret, getting promotion to Chief of Police, say in Pattaya requires some serious donations.

SO why all the fuzz now? as if it does not and did not go on for years.

If you have the fact, publish it.

Don't just bark.

My BiL was asked to pay Bht200k for his latest 'promotion'. To get into the RTP he had to borrow the money off the village head man...

[JOC]

This is good news indeed. The army has done a lot of good work since the takeover.

I hope also foreigners living here can see this instead of continue the usual thai bashing.

The headline is: "Former CIB chief demands 3-5 million from officers wanting promotions"

And your reply: "This is good news indeed".......................???

You might not have noticed, but the "Thaibashing" here are directed at supercorrupt policeofficers, who have been stealing from ordinare Thai's for decades!!

[JOC]

Some answers here:

The Guardian, Tuesday 25 November 2014

The suspects are alleged to have used claims of links to the royal palace in carrying out the wrongdoing

Lt Gen Pongpat Chayapan, the former head of Central Investigation Bureau, had confessed to all charges, including soliciting bribes for job appointments and allowing illegal gambling and oil smuggling.

Then please, please explain to me how this supercrook got bail??

Something is seriously rotten here!!

[chooka]

Why isn't the dear General going after all those in the military who have made large sums charging for promotions? It's exactly the same process. How did dear leader get to the top and make so much money from being a soldier. If he is serious about corruption then open all the doors and not protect yourself and your little group of close friends.

Love seeing corruption being cleaned up but don't exclude your own.

[pistachios]

Some answers here:

The Guardian, Tuesday 25 November 2014

The suspects are alleged to have used claims of links to the royal palace in carrying out the wrongdoing

Lt Gen Pongpat Chayapan, the former head of Central Investigation Bureau, had confessed to all charges, including soliciting bribes for job appointments and allowing illegal gambling and oil smuggling.

Then please, please explain to me how this supercrook got bail??

Something is seriously rotten here!!

Bail is automatically granted whatever crime was allegedly committed as long as you are not a member of the lower castes of the society.

[englishoak]

Of course its purely coincidental one was murdered died before further interview and another given bail Pongpat is the uncle of a certain special someone,

Why do you think there are alleged LM charges.

Edited November 25, 2014 by englishoak

[noitom]

This Thailand case of despicable corruption is a subset of the overall problem. How in the world would these supposedly promoted officers supposed to earn 3-5 million to pay back the CIB leader for the promotion? The answer is clear and illustrates the massive systemic corruption in Thai law and order. In other words, they were paying for promotions to jobs that paid less in a lifetime than the amount of the bribe. Knowing full well that the earning power of the promoted job position had a far greater potential net take on skim and corrupt operations. Let's see how the general addresses this systemic corruption issue in Thai law and order ranks. The general shouldn't underestimate the magnitude and the scope of the problem in Thailand.

[cgphuket]

Attention all corrupt police. Please be so kind as to off yourself and save the courts the time and expense to prosecute. We will get to the corrupt generals after the next shift in power. Thank you.

[siampolee]

Really these characters were only following their role model an ex policeman who made it to Prime Minister and whose strategies for increasing his and his family's income along with their stooges was indeed creative and flexible in its approach to legality.

[Si Thea01]

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.

What evidence do you have for this opinion? My wife is a teacher in the government system and has never sought promotion by any other way then through studies and hard work. Ten years for two degrees and working in many outlying schools for over 28 years, she has now reached a grading that will allow her to move into the higher echelons of administration and is well compensated by Thai standards.

As she is passionate about teaching she has not sought to take up an administrative post but her ability has been recognised and although remaining a teacher she has been given a position where she is required to examine and grade other teachers seeking promotions. She is only one of three in the province given this task and is senior to the others. Has not sought and would never accept a payment to promote anyone as she is a very principled person.

She had to borrow to pay for her education, as did not come for a rich family, and has worked bloody hard to get where she is today. Promoted through studies and ability, not the payment of moneys to others. Please do not tar everyone with the same brush and I, for one, find your opinion offensive, in particular that you are casting your net over many. Can you tell me how you know this is standard for the police, military and other professions in Thailand or this just an opinion without substance?

Edited November 26, 2014 by Si Thea01

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This Thailand case of despicable corruption is a subset of the overall problem. How in the world would these supposedly promoted officers supposed to earn 3-5 million to pay back the CIB leader for the promotion? The answer is clear and illustrates the massive systemic corruption in Thai law and order. In other words, they were paying for promotions to jobs that paid less in a lifetime than the amount of the bribe. Knowing full well that the earning power of the promoted job position had a far greater potential net take on skim and corrupt operations. Let's see how the general addresses this systemic corruption issue in Thai law and order ranks. The general shouldn't underestimate the magnitude and the scope of the problem in Thailand.

What makes you think that the exact same kind of pay for promotion scheme doesn't exist in the Army as well???

[Trouble]

Like most posters are saying, this is just the tip of the iceberg. It is rampant up and down the whole police department. It starts with the free meals and small payoffs to stay open late, etc. I am sure just about every police officer on up is collecting something on top of their pay. They use that money for better posts and promotions. If this amount is just what was amassed by one or two people, I can't even imagine the amount of money that changes hands due to corruption and that is just the police department. Truly pathetic.

[alantheembalmer]

"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." And if they are found guilty of these charges, it will be the first offence that will carry the greatest number of years in the slammer! Funny old world, isn't it?

[Orac]

"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." And if they are found guilty of these charges, it will be the first offence that will carry the greatest number of years in the slammer! Funny old world, isn't it?

Also means, under martial law, it will be adjudicated on by a military court so very little information will get out.

[Gandtee]

The question has been raised, why wait so long to attempt to put right misdeeds which have been going on for years. A friend of mine who was a third generation police colonel now retired and broke, was moved from being top dog in a station up north to an obscure police station in the sticks. This was because he refused to allow trucks carrying illegal logs to pass through his area. Another friend now sadly deceased, was the Governor of a province, the name of which I will not divulge, was also removed for the same reason. Who could they protest to when the order came from high above? Even a person in the position as high as Provincial Governor was subjected to this same treatment. I think the humiliation may have led to his demise. We now have a leader, elected or not, who who has the power to rectify these problems without political pressure. What we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg. When 60& of the younger generation think that it is OK to cheat and a high percentage of the population think corruption is OK 'if it doesn't affect me,' it means a long and bumpy road. I hope the momentum will not be lost.Not for me but for my Thai nieces and nephews.

[Orac]

Like most posters are saying, this is just the tip of the iceberg. It is rampant up and down the whole police department. It starts with the free meals and small payoffs to stay open late, etc. I am sure just about every police officer on up is collecting something on top of their pay. They use that money for better posts and promotions. If this amount is just what was amassed by one or two people, I can't even imagine the amount of money that changes hands due to corruption and that is just the police department. Truly pathetic.

Chuwit is saying in the 'other paper' that one casino in BKK used to kick back 20m baht a day to police which gives an indication of how much money is in play here.

[peecee]

Why isn't the dear General going after all those in the military who have made large sums charging for promotions? It's exactly the same process. How did dear leader get to the top and make so much money from being a soldier. If he is serious about corruption then open all the doors and not protect yourself and your little group of close friends.

Love seeing corruption being cleaned up but don't exclude your own.

They might end up with corporal's running the police/army in order to overcome corruption (going by Germany's experiance with a corporal in charge), god help them!

[Gandtee]

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.

What evidence do you have for this opinion? My wife is a teacher in the government system and has never sought promotion by any other way then through studies and hard work. Ten years for two degrees and working in many outlying schools for over 28 years, she has now reached a grading that will allow her to move into the higher echelons of administration and is well compensated by Thai standards.

As she is passionate about teaching she has not sought to take up an administrative post but her ability has been recognised and although remaining a teacher she has been given a position where she is required to examine and grade other teachers seeking promotions. She is only one of three in the province given this task and is senior to the others. Has not sought and would never accept a payment to promote anyone as she is a very principled person.

She had to borrow to pay for her education, as did not come for a rich family, and has worked bloody hard to get where she is today. Promoted through studies and ability, not the payment of moneys to others. Please do not tar everyone with the same brush and I, for one, find your opinion offensive, in particular that you are casting your net over many. Can you tell me how you know this is standard for the police, military and other professions in Thailand or this just an opinion without substance?

Well said Sir! Unfortunately, most of us get our information and knowledge, I use the term loosely, from the media. Nothing is ever said about the good guys. They don't make news. So, the impression is formed of an encompassing corruption.

[BoristheBlade]

What is going to happen to all the ill gotten goods that were seized?

I hope the junta, and RTP will openly show the public there intentions.

[Anon999]

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.

" Promotion anywhere? Pay." Don't generalise, not everyone is open to corruption. There are many honest Thais doing a good job without resorting to financial inducements either paying or receiving.

[EvilDrSomkid]

BTW, the one thing I didn't see mentioned in ANY of the news reports here.

Assuming the criminal cases stand against all of the accused, what's going to happen to the billions in seized assets??? Where's it all going to go???

Funny that no one seems to be talking about that.

I thought the exact same thing. Interesting to see as this story develops to see where

the money goes... Am going to guess this will never be mentioned....

Has been on my mind also. Maybe the stuff will be quietly transferred to deserving "officers" for outstanding performance in the field of excellence.

[EvilDrSomkid]

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.

" Promotion anywhere? Pay." Don't generalise, not everyone is open to corruption. There are many honest Thais doing a good job without resorting to financial inducements either paying or receiving.

There was a party in our soi a little while ago because a son passed his Police entrance exam WITHOUT cheating or paying.

[hawker9000]

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.

" Promotion anywhere? Pay." Don't generalise, not everyone is open to corruption. There are many honest Thais doing a good job without resorting to financial inducements either paying or receiving.

There was a party in our soi a little while ago because a son passed his Police entrance exam WITHOUT cheating or paying.

Please be sure and keep us updated on his career promotions as he progresses up through the ranks without any cheating or paying...

[EvilDrSomkid]

There was a party in our soi a little while ago because a son passed his Police entrance exam WITHOUT cheating or paying.

Please be sure and keep us updated on his career promotions as he progresses up through the ranks without any cheating or paying...

[Si Thea01]

GANDTEE

No, I thank you. You are one of a few who readily admit that they obtain their knowledge of incidents via the media. Most intelligent people know that journalists write stories to sell newspapers and on many occasions have been found to embellish what they try to pass off as fact.

I do not profess to know all but I am sick sand tired of the Thai bashers and the armchair detectives who write as if the are the experts and know all. There are many good posters, some very funny ones but there are those who suffer from foot and mouth disease and when someone attempts to provide an opposite view they are howled down as their opinions do not suit their particular posts.

Why don't they look at matters in an unbiased way. Many posters write nothing but hate, hate, hate and although they might not type the word, any clear thinking, intelligent person can see, through their fallacious statements, exactly how they feel towards others. Again, I thank you, not for your kind words but for you honesty.

Regards

[Stargeezr]

I hope this former CIB chief and the others that get arrested, have

a very long time in Jail. I hope they get found out while they are in

jail and find out what it is like to have the others in that jail treat

them with all the sympathy they all deserve.

Of course this is just my opinion, and I am an old guy in his 60s

who worked all his life in a career that resulted in a huge

pension of less than $35 thousand Cdn dollars a year.

Stargeezer