Former metropolitan police officer convicted to life for drugs trafficking

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court has upheld the Appeals Court’s life imprisonment handed down to a former deputy superintendent of metropolitan police convicted of drugs trafficking.

The case dated back to March 14, 1999 when the defendant, then Pol Lt-Col Apivuth Ngarmsombat, deputy superintendent attacked to Metropolitan Police Bureau, was arrested together with more than one million methamphetamine pills. Another accomplice managed to escape.

Apivuth was eventually stripped of his police rank as he went to trial. The Criminal Court sentenced him to death but he appealed against the sentence which was commuted to life imprisonment by the Appeals Court due to his useful confession.

Apivuth appealed to the Supreme Court which upheld the life jailterm of the Appeals Court.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/former-metropolitan-police-officer-convicted-life-drugs-trafficking


-- Thai PBS 2014-11-27

crime and time justice seen to be done

Normally you would think that a former police officer would expect to be a target of reprisal once sent to prison but here in Thailand I think that former police officers will soon make up a large contingent of the prison population.

I guess he is out on bail already. Right?

For sure there needs to be something done to speed up the court process when a case dating back to 1999 has only just come to a conclusion.

Considering that in some cases the accused may have been on bail for the whole time that makes it even more imperative that cases are completed through from the first charges being laid to the end of the appeal process in a short time.

Lets hope this is addressed in the reform process.

I guess he is out on bail already. Right?

Sure he's still in Thailand?

It took only 15 years to get a final verdict. Good news for Pongpat and his cronies.

There must be a lot of Thai charged with offences who are living abroad as they get bail for the most heinous crimes.

I would LOVE TO BELIEVE that he will actually do any time inside of a prison.

There must be a lot of Thai charged with offences who are living abroad as they get bail for the most heinous crimes.

Dubai is a popular spot for some!

Another angle, just wondering what the arms length extensions of this case (this cop) might be - e.g. how many times did cop apprehend other drug traffickers and then end up in bed with them for a fee?

Just wondering.

Phuuee... the ONE that didn't get away... what went wrong there I wonder, not enough cash

on hand to be transferred to in active post?

Is he even actually in prison?

He will be in good company in prison soon with all his chums joining him in the fancy 5 star cells for high ranking police and officials.

It took only 15 years to get a final verdict. Good news for Pongpat and his cronies.

On that basis the 2 Burmese will still be in the slammer in 2029.

What prison is he held at? And wonder what beans he spilt?

15 years to move this forward? Why does he get preferential treatment? Execute him like other drugs traffickers.

a quick trip in front of a firing squad would be the best ( and final) ending

a quick trip in front of a firing squad would be the best ( and final) ending

Why not hang him high, I'm sure you're a supported of that too.

I am glad to se that this officer got his dues, and I think the PM and the government is

doing a good job of slowly getting the offenders charged and in jail.

The police chief, and the other 6 or so getting their charges, seem like a lot more

people being found out and charged than ever were when Thailand was ran

by the previous government. Of course this is only my opinion.

Stargeezer

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Phuuee... the ONE that didn't get away... what went wrong there I wonder, not enough cash

on hand to be transferred to in active post?

He got burnt big time

Do the crime U do the time , the time suits the crime.

Now they just have to catch him.

Normally you would think that a former police officer would expect to be a target of reprisal once sent to prison but here in Thailand I think that former police officers will soon make up a large contingent of the prison population.

One can only hope. So far, as far as I know, he is the first one to actually be convicted. And this was in the courts for 15 years. What about the recent arrests? Meanwhile the CIB creeps are out on bail. So, lets see how serious the new sheriff is, when it comes to the rich, the powerful, the well connected, and the elite. No evidence has been shown so far, of any real follow up on his words. We are interested in deeds, not words.

He will be in good company in prison soon with all his chums joining him in the fancy 5 star cells for high ranking police and officials.

You forgetting where you are ?

caught with a million pills and still alive ...

strpped only of his rank during his trial ...

in the meantime, 200.000 people in jail for having 0.1 gram of something on them for personal use ?

HHH !