Five more arrests in expanding Thai police graft probe

[khounteen]

It is common knowledge that the whole police force is corrupted and I predict the new rich is going to be from the army.

[ICECOOL]

wonder if the public will be allowed to know what the false claims they were making were?

rereading it I dont think so

I think it does explain the offence....

"Based on our investigations we have found that there are more people making false claims about the monarchy to demand bribes, illegally detain people and extort them," he said

[apalink_thailand]

One of Sutherp's demands and aims, when he was fighting to topple the Siwanatra clan was to reform the police.

This administration is following his footsteps.

I would like to congratulate them and wish them to keep up the good work.

History will remember you and your good deeds.

Yeah sure, fighting corruption with corruption!!

btw. A google-search of your hero, Suthep+corruption, gave 167.000 results!!

and about 363,000 for Thaksin and 358,000 for YL, so who's the biggest villain, would that be your hero's.

Eedjits

[thaisail]

How many of those arrested in the new police corruption scandal are not friendly with the former Taksin government? This is looking more like a political purge than real reform.

[TBWG]

Can someone point me in the direction of the recent post showing who's who in the Pongpat bust i.e the pic showing and naming individuals and who did what.

I've tried to locate it again but without success!!!

Thanks

TBWG

[Orac]

How many of those arrested in the new police corruption scandal are not friendly with the former Taksin government? This is looking more like a political purge than real reform.

Most of those under arrest appear to be from one family which looks to be headed by Pongpat though he is probably not the most influential member of it. They are also not police in the main and include at least one military officer.

Pongpat was appointed to his position by Abhisit which suggests he would be 'friendly' with any government/political party - as Somyot has already stated, previous governments (plural) and police commissioners were not able to tackle this.

[T_Dog]

BBC is carrying a story that probably can not appear on ThaiVisa due to its content.

[Baerboxer]

And AFP strikes again:

"May's coup was the latest chapter in Thailand's long-running political conflict, which broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite, backed by parts of the military and judiciary, against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin."

Way less then balanced comment.

No my friend, this time AFP is actually spot on!!

You reckon.

A somewhat simplistic view of the complexities of Thai politics. Wonder how many rural working-class voters in the South are loyal to Thaksin? Wonder how many former voters of Thaksin controlled puppet regimes have finally realized the real purpose of any Shin administration.

AFP like to cut and paste - regardless of content. There reports are usually peppered with inaccuracies. Like the BBC, they love to support someone they think to be left wing socialists bring power to the people. And ignore the fact the Shins are hiso elite Chinese Thai billionaires, several of whom have criminal convictions, some have outstanding charges, and whose family wealth increased 450% during their last term of office. The poor people and the country got screwed but hey, that's not worth reporting on.

[Baerboxer]

BBC is carrying a story that probably can not appear on ThaiVisa due to its content.

BBC Asia business program showed an interview with Thai Finance Minister this morning.

The thrust of the summing up was to suggest all the economic problems, drop in tourist numbers etc was because of the coup, martial law and the delay in returning to democracy.

What a load of politically motivated excrement. No mention of anything from the previous administration, underlying real problems affecting the tourist industry, issues with FDI etc etc.

Not sure the Beeb is really the institution it was.

[KhnomKhnom]

wonder if the public will be allowed to know what the false claims they were making were?

rereading it I dont think so

Easy, according to front page of Post were claims of access to royalty to insure safe illegal dealings. THAT is a good reason for lese majeste laws.

[Baerboxer]

Nothing but a witch hunt

Unbelievable comment. You surely must be trolling. They are revealing the operations of (most probably) the largest network of government criminals ever in Thailand. Top cops operating an underground cartel with which they make BILLIONS of baht. And you call it a witch hunt. Truly amazing.

witch-hunt also witch hunt:

An investigation carried out ostensibly to uncover subversive activities but actually used to harass and undermine those with differing views.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/witch-hunt

So for you these criminal cops just have a different view.

He isn't trolling. So easy to join the dots now.

I think the key word in your definition that actually relates to this specific context is 'undermine'.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

So what are you actually proposing? These seemingly very corrupt and very rich policemen, who spend their time and effort enriching themselves rather than doing any police work, should be allowed to continue? Don't touch them because they may be mates with Thaksin?

I couldn't care less if they are Thaksin lackeys or any-body-in-power lackeys like Tarit. They are corrupt and should be removed, tried and if convicted punished, including asset seizure. As should corrupt politicians. A start has to be made.

[naughtybadfurrimunki]

^ Bearboxer, 2 minutes of background reading is all that is required to grasp the true nature of current events. It's got absolutely nothing to do with cracking down on corruption even though it is being made to appear so.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Baerboxer]

One of Sutherp's demands and aims, when he was fighting to topple the Siwanatra clan was to reform the police.

This administration is following his footsteps.

I would like to congratulate them and wish them to keep up the good work.

History will remember you and your good deeds.

Yeah sure, fighting corruption with corruption!!

btw. A google-search of your hero, Suthep+corruption, gave 167.000 results!!

btw. A google-search of your hero, Thaksin+corruption, gave 366,000 results!!

And the man currently masquerading as a monk (Suthep) doesn't have a very positive report on him huh, filled with many different issues of alleged corrupt dealings. and the report on Mr T has far more positive theme huh, but not without controversy, and by far more popular both domestically and internationally, so how ya gonna put a spin on that one?

To gain real legitimacy on this they need to get all the crooked cops and officials not just the ones on the wrong side of the political divide as was and still seems s the case,

Thaksin is a fugitive from justice, fleeing the country after promising to return and has a 2 year prison sentence waiting for him. There are 15 more serious outstanding criminal charges awaiting his return for which warrants have already been issued in some cases. He is unlikely to return until the statute of limitations expires on these cases or he is granted a blanket whitewash on all past activities.

How many convictions does Suthep have and how many open cases are their against him? Has he fled and become a fugitive?

Your comments are Thaksin being popular internationally are laughable. Where do you get that from - Rob Amsterdam news?

[Baerboxer]

^ Bearboxer, 2 minutes of background reading is all that is required to grasp the true nature of current events. It's got absolutely nothing to do with cracking down on corruption even though it is being made to appear so.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

I'm sure you are right, in that everything here seems to be done to suit someone's agenda. Not done for justice, what's right or to benefit the Thai people.

However, no matter how it's dressed up, or why it's being done, removing corrupt, very corrupt, people from senior positions like this must be a good thing, don't you agree?

The next issue will be the choice of who replaces them. But that's a different question.

[naughtybadfurrimunki]

Yes I agree with you, but I would guess that all those in senior positions are part of numerous equally corrupt networks.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[iReason]

Nothing but a witch hunt

Unbelievable comment. You surely must be trolling. They are revealing the operations of (most probably) the largest network of government criminals ever in Thailand. Top cops operating an underground cartel with which they make BILLIONS of baht. And you call it a witch hunt. Truly amazing.

witch-hunt also witch hunt:

An investigation carried out ostensibly to uncover subversive activities but actually used to harass and undermine those with differing views.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/witch-hunt

So for you these criminal cops just have a different view.

That is a perfectly accurate description of what is going on.

Thanks for posting it.

[billd766]

One of Sutherp's demands and aims, when he was fighting to topple the Siwanatra clan was to reform the police.

This administration is following his footsteps.

I would like to congratulate them and wish them to keep up the good work.

History will remember you and your good deeds.

Yeah sure, fighting corruption with corruption!!

btw. A google-search of your hero, Suthep+corruption, gave 167.000 results!!

Is Suthep in the current government?

quote "btw. A google-search of your hero, Suthep+corruption, gave 167.000 results!!"

btw did it say how many times he was convicted and sent to jail?

btw again when I Googled your hero, Thaksin Shinawatra + corruption there were About 344,000 results in (0.27 seconds).

Does that make Thaksin twice as bad as Suthep?

[kurnell]

I thought the whole reason none of the police/military/politicians etc were never arrested was because they were all corrupt

[craigt3365]

Can someone point me in the direction of the recent post showing who's who in the Pongpat bust i.e the pic showing and naming individuals and who did what.

I've tried to locate it again but without success!!!

Thanks

TBWG

Is this the one???

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779396-corruption-scandal-police-find-bt2-bn-in-cash-valuables-in-secret-vaults-in-11-of-pongpats-homes/

[billd766]

One of Sutherp's demands and aims, when he was fighting to topple the Siwanatra clan was to reform the police.

This administration is following his footsteps.

I would like to congratulate them and wish them to keep up the good work.

History will remember you and your good deeds.

Yeah sure, fighting corruption with corruption!!

btw. A google-search of your hero, Suthep+corruption, gave 167.000 results!!

btw, A google search of 'Suthep' gave = About 6 300 000 results (0.32 seconds)

A google search of 'Suthep anti corruption'gave = About 379 000 results (0.42 seconds)

A Google search of Thaksin + anti corruption gave only about 153,000 results (0.43 seconds)

[scorecard]

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

And AFP strikes again:

"May's coup was the latest chapter in Thailand's long-running political conflict, which broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite, backed by parts of the military and judiciary, against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin."

Way less then balanced comment.

No my friend, this time AFP is actually spot on!!

I don't agree.

[Orac]

I thought the whole reason none of the police/military/politicians etc were never arrested was because they were all corrupt

Exactly - so why this guy and why now. I am all for seeing the back of this guy but, given his family connections, why start with him.

[naughtybadfurrimunki]

given his family connections, why start with him.

Therein lies the answer.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Strangebrew]

Oh so sorry to hear the good pol col is suffering from stress wait till you get cozy cell like you have sent so many to live I sure you will be greeted with open arms and much respect Remember to bring some KY with you.

[Globeman]

One of Sutherp's demands and aims, when he was fighting to topple the Siwanatra clan was to reform the police.

This administration is following his footsteps.

I would like to congratulate them and wish them to keep up the good work.

History will remember you and your good deeds.

So you reckon that's what's going on? It's an anti-corruption drive, starting near the top, totally upsetting the status quo? Nothing else behind it? Read Jonathan Head's latest little essay on the subject from a couple of days ago.

[HerbalEd]

Maybe a silly question but all this money and chattels being recovered... where does it go to ?? The artefacts and items of historic significance should be given to Thai museums etc.,... that one is easy but a few billion in cash and gold/ luxury cars/ multiple houses etc.. we could be talking in realm of 7-10 B Baht if not more when it all said and done ... so where does maybe USD 150M dollar equivalent go.... from whence it came is the easy bit......

All the seized assets are sold at a public auction. But sadly the authorities "forgot" to inform the public about the time and the place of the auction, so the only bidders are the new topdogs in the RTP, who probably will get the whole loot for a couple of million!!

You know this for a fact? If the time and place is not announced, how could you?

[Globeman]

Oh so sorry to hear the good pol col is suffering from stress wait till you get cozy cell like you have sent so many to live I sure you will be greeted with open arms and much respect Remember to bring some KY with you.

As much as the idea seems to appeal to you (for reasons bets kept to yourself), I very much doubt anyone in prison will attempt to sodomize a disgraced police general...

[Fat Haggis]

this is one of the good things that the Junta is doing I don't know many Thais who think the police do a good job.

However anyone who thinks the Miltary are whiter than white squeaky clean and are free from corruption need to take a serious reality check.

Who checks the checkers?

[Globeman]

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

And AFP strikes again:

"May's coup was the latest chapter in Thailand's long-running political conflict, which broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite, backed by parts of the military and judiciary, against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin."

Way less then balanced comment.

No my friend, this time AFP is actually spot on!!

I don't agree.

So how would you describe it?

[simple1]

Nothing but a witch hunt

Unbelievable comment. You surely must be trolling. They are revealing the operations of (most probably) the largest network of government criminals ever in Thailand. Top cops operating an underground cartel with which they make BILLIONS of baht. And you call it a witch hunt. Truly amazing.

witch-hunt also witch hunt:

An investigation carried out ostensibly to uncover subversive activities but actually used to harass and undermine those with differing views.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/witch-hunt

So for you these criminal cops just have a different view.

Talking about 'government criminals' do you remember a few years back when billions of ephedrine tablets were being illegally imported from South Korea and Taiwan? At the time it was reported that Thai Customs officials were involved, along with corrupt Thai hospital staff on-selling to criminal gangs for processing into YaBa. Probably more damaging to Thailand's national interest than the OP. It is often suggested corrupt police are also involved in these activities.

Given the nature of drug smuggling these activities are highly likely to be ongoing. Although it does not reference Thai Customs, to give an idea of the scale have a look at the URL below.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1205/S00516/illegal-methamphetamines-made-from-drugs-in-thai-hospitals.htm