Hunt on for more corrupt officials

[Lite Beer]

BRIBERY SCANDAL
Hunt on for more corrupt officials
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Security agencies in South got Bt12m in bribes a month from petrol smuggler

Police are tracing more corrupt officials after probing lists of bribe-takers seized from a fugitive, Pattani-based businessman who ran an illegal band petrol trade in the far South.

Initial findings showed some Bt12 million in monthly payments to a number of marine police, who have already been exposed.

National police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung said yesterday that the lists recorded bribes paid over the past two years by Sahachai Jiansermsin.

Somyot said "almost all government units handling security measures in the South had received bribes", including the Marine Police which had received the largest amount of Bt12 million from Sahachai, who is better known by his nickname "Sia Jo".

Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said the Department of Special Investigation had also been tracing names on the lists. He said there were probably more DSI agents, apart from the three already exposed. Many names have also been found in the logs of Sahachai's mobile phones obtained by authorities.

"The names are compiled in several pieces of paper," he said, adding the DSI would soon work with the police on the bribe recipients and would seek to find out who these officials were, or from which agencies.

Three senior Marine Police officers - Pol Colonels Warissiri Leelasiri, Somchart Suphawuth and Jakkraphan Rattanathewamart - were yesterday transferred to inactive posts, Royal Thai Police spokesman Pol Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri, who is now acting commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) supervising the Marine Police Division, revealed.

The transfers were ordered to facilitate the ongoing investigation into the illicit petrol trade, he added.

Prawut said the RTP was considering whether to strip the ranks of all police found involved in the massive corruption scheme engulfing former CIB commissioner Pol Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan.

"This issue is being considered," he said, without elaborating.

The three men, out of a total five wanted for their alleged association with Pongpat, last night surrendered to police. Wat Phraya Krai police later sought court approval for the arrest of five other men yesterday evening, making a total of 10 men wanted in the latest crackdown.

All the 10 men also have lese majeste and assault charges filed against them in the latest arraignment filed by Wat Phraya Krai police, apart from charges of armed intimidation, criminal conspiracy involving more than five offenders, restraining one's freedom, and joint theft.

Trio get their ranks stripped

Prawut gave more details about the Akharapongpreecha men - former Army major Nuttapon, former Army sergeant Sitthisak, and former Bureau of Royal Household official Narong. All three had their ranks and positions stripped, while Sutthisak Sutthijit and Chakarn Phakphoom have been in military custody since Tuesday, he said.

The five new people have been identified as Chalat Phothiraj, Witthaya Theskhunthod, former sergeants Nathakorn Yasri and Theeraphong Chorjampee, Nathanan Thanawes.

The first five suspects have been charged with kidnapping a woman and intimidating her into reducing a total of Bt100 million owed to her by unspecified individuals to Bt20 million.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Hunt-on-for-more-corrupt-officials-30248824.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-29

[EyesWideOpen]

Well, this should be like shooting fish in a barrel.....

Looks like Prayut is starting with the police, which is

a good place to begin. I have said it for years, they ARE

the criminals here. And now all these stories are coming

out about the scope of their activities which is boggling.

Guess after he finished gutting the crooked police Prayut

could then start on the customs dept, then move onto

the land office, and then...............

"The first five suspects have been charged with kidnapping a

woman and intimidating her into reducing a total of Bt100 million

owed to her by unspecified individuals to Bt20 million."

Edited November 28, 2014 by EyesWideOpen

[sscsamui]

This would Never have happened if the Thaksin clan was in power. Good to see that finally someone is really cracking down on Corrupt officials. Power to this New government... Keep up the good work and Please come to Koh Samui and Clean it up and out....

[NongKhaiKid]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

[EyesWideOpen]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Tailored..... Given the wealth of a lot of the Thai generals, cannot help

but think they are either brilliant investors, or their beak has been dipped

in the feeding trough as well.

[Roadman]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Will be certainly interesting 'when' not if Army people show up somewhere how he reacts. Good thing right now is the clean up is beginning. Was known about in the past but when all of them are in on the corruption then who is going to blow the whistle. Witness the senior cop a few years back who deared to turn in his colleagues in and they butchered him. Kudo's to the good general for having the balls to be different than the rest.

[NongKhaiKid]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Tailored..... Given the wealth of a lot of the Thai generals, cannot help

but think they are either brilliant investors, or their beak has been dipped

in the feeding trough as well.

Surely they didn't all marry into wealth !

[bangkokfrog]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Tailored..... Given the wealth of a lot of the Thai generals, cannot help

but think they are either brilliant investors, or their beak has been dipped

in the feeding trough as well.

With a "no questions asked" budget big enough to buy things like an aircraft carrier that has no planes, a blimp that cannot fly, and fake mine detectors, why would they need to worry about outside criminal activities? (But not saying there aren't any!)

[EyesWideOpen]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Tailored..... Given the wealth of a lot of the Thai generals, cannot help

but think they are either brilliant investors, or their beak has been dipped

in the feeding trough as well.

With a "no questions asked" budget big enough to buy things like an aircraft carrier that has no planes, a blimp that cannot fly, and fake mine detectors, why would they need to worry about outside criminal activities? (But not saying there aren't any!)

Good point. The Thai police version of making money is the old styled mafia shakedown.

A bit crude, and fairly easy to track down what is happening if they lose " protection" .

I think the military is a bit slicker. For every contract, aircraft carrier, etc, there is simply

a check cut for 30% of the contract, which is quietly deposited somewhere.

[sundrenched]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Not what "will they do" but what did they do with the "unusually expensive" TVs and microphones in government house? I'm all for taking down the corrupt, but given the happy leader's history, it'll be selective law enforcement doubling up as a purge. Like a commentator in The Nation said, everything we've seen so far in the past 6 months is about extenuating their own power base.

[Lite Beer]

Secret lists show many officers received bribes from oil smuggling godfather in South

BANGKOK: -- The commissioner of the Royal Thai Police today revealed that police have seized two secret lists that display names and ranks of police officers who received bribes from ‘Sia Jo’, a major oil smuggler in Southern Thailand, now still at large.

The bribes received ranged from a few hundred baht to over a million baht a day to these officers said to have connection with the bribery gang operated under the former powerful Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Pongpat Chayaphan.

The two lists comprise more than 1,000 pages belonged to Sahachai Jeara-sermsin otherwise known as ‘Sia Jo’, the notorious oil smuggling godfather, and were seized from his home in Pattani province.

The Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang said these secret accounts are the latest and most important piece of evidence towards unraveling the vast network that was controlled by the former head of the CIB.

Pol Gen Somyot said some of the names are superintendent and deputy superintendent of the Marine Police, several Department of Special Investigations (DSI) officials and civil servants holding ranks as high as the director of the Customs Department that have received bribes totaling 12 million baht a month.

Several handwritten entries show in detail transfers worth millions of baht to civil servants as well as payment of membership fees to entertainment venues in Bangkok. Payments for hotel accommodations in Hat Yai district are also included. One particular entry clearly shows six million baht in expenses paid on behalf of the marine police officers.

These critical evidence against Pol. Lt. Gen. Pongpat, the former commissioner of the CIB, has been divided into four parts. Each part will be copied and distributed to four departments involved in the case. The first copy will be given to the Metropolitan Police Bureau to be used as evidence in the case file while the second copy will go to the Crime Suppression Division for further detailed investigation.

The third and fourth copies will be given to DSI and the Customs Department respectively for investigation into individuals whose names appeared in these secret accounts, Pol Gen Somyot said.

He also showed the account at the press conference today, saying one entry was for payments amounting to 12 million baht to the Marine Police while another entry was written another payment of 5 million baht being paid again to the Marine Police.

He said the police would have to investigate further to get to the bottom of the matter.

Pol Lt-Gen Prawut Thawornsiri, the acting commissioner of the CIB meanwhile, stated today that the case would be handled fairly and impartially.

He assured that he was willing to give the officers whose names appeared in the secret list of names receiving bribes from Sia Jo the benefit of the doubt but a detailed investigation will have to be made as this was a new albeit important piece of evidence in the case.

He said “in several entries nick-names such as inspector so-and-so are written which we will have to investigate to determine the actual identity of the individuals. If any evidence surface showing malfeasance then stern disciplinary action will ensue as this is a direct violation of criminal laws.”

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/secret-lists-show-many-officers-received-bribes-oil-smuggling-godfather-south

-- Thai PBS 2014-11-29

[NongKhaiKid]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Not what "will they do" but what did they do with the "unusually expensive" TVs and microphones in government house? I'm all for taking down the corrupt, but given the happy leader's history, it'll be selective law enforcement doubling up as a purge. Like a commentator in The Nation said, everything we've seen so far in the past 6 months is about extenuating their own power base.

Yes, I'm all for action against the iceberg that's corruption here BUT I'm sure there's much more to this than straight corruption.

This ring has supposedly been operating for two years, at least, but was never discovered until now ?

It will be interesting to know how many of the major figures netted had / have political or personal links, affiliations etc to the last govt and the Shins.

Unfortunately it also all but guarantees a tit for tat response when the country is handled back to the politicans, whenever that may actually be.

[FangFerang]

The headline should read "Hunt On in Sahara for More Hidden Sand".

[jpeg]

This would Never have happened if the Thaksin clan was in power. Good to see that finally someone is really cracking down on Corrupt officials. Power to this New government... Keep up the good work and Please come to Koh Samui and Clean it up and out....

Notwithstanding yet another tedious reference to Taksin, I would hardly count 'being moved to inactive posts' 'cracking down'. What do they do in these 'inactive posts' I wonder? Temporarily stop the stream of their ill gottens? For How long? how about the First World solution of jailing the b4st4rds? Move on, sheep

[steven100]

"The names are compiled in several pieces of paper,"

That list must resemble a menu from a chinese take away ........

[meatboy]

the hunt is on,they need someone with a certain amount of intelligence,time to call in MR.BEAN

[In the jungle]

"Hunt on for more corrupt officials"

When I saw the title I assumed it was a recruitment drive.

[WitawatWatawit]

Has anyone read the Asia Sentinel - Thursday 27th ?

It's as enlightening as the Time article.

[selftaopath]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Tailored..... Given the wealth of a lot of the Thai generals, cannot help

but think they are either brilliant investors, or their beak has been dipped

in the feeding trough as well.

Contrary to most civilized countries Thailand might - with success I believe - declare ALL Thai officials as GUILTY until proven innocent.

[Tonawatchee]

"The hunt is on for more corrupt officials"

The Holy Grail of job security.

[BestBitterPhuket]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Tailored..... Given the wealth of a lot of the Thai generals, cannot help

but think they are either brilliant investors, or their beak has been dipped

in the feeding trough as well.

Cronyism is probably rampant in the army, and it may not be illegal. When the army owned companies choose an ex-general to be a director after his retirement it is NOT corruption or illegal. On a large scale it can be unhealthy, but it is legal in most cases and probably always legal in Thailand. It happens in almost every country, and it is seldom illegal. Edited November 29, 2014 by BestBitterPhuket

[Lite Beer]

Oil bribes said to touch most southern agencies

PATTANI: Lists of bribes allegedly made by a reputed oil smuggler in Pattani province show corruption may have touched nearly all government agencies in the South, national police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said Friday.

At the Royal Thai Police Office in Bangkok, the chief showed two books containing more than 100 pages of alleged bribe recipients. He did not let reporters examine the volumes.

He said he called the press conference to confirm that the bribe lists were real and that authorities were not trying to frame Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayapan, former commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau.
"I'm here to confirm that the lists of bribe payment by oil smugglers exist and we and we're not making it up," Pol Gen Somyot said.

The lists were seized from a house of Sahachai "Sia Jo" Chiansoemsin, who escaped with the help of a police officer on his way from a court to a prison in the southern province of Pattani after being sentenced to one year and nine months in jail for document forgery in October.

The police chief said information contained in the lists showed that bribery related to oil smuggling occurred for two years.

"They also cover per diems for individuals, payment for information in courts, ... air tickets, red envelopes and many others. Almost all agencies responsible for coastal southern areas are involved," Pol Gen Somyot said.

The implicated agencies will investigate named recipients and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) will determine if any of the alleged bribe-takers have illegally acquired assets, the police chief said.

Pol Gen Somyot said Amlo previously complained to him that police units had been slow take legal action against oil smuggling cases, which had blocked asset seizures by the office. He thus ordered the Central Investigation Bureau to speed up smuggling prosecutions.

Among the agencies accused of receiving the bribes were marine police and the Department of Special Investigation. The bribes amounted to tens of millions of baht per year and the biggest bribe - 12 million baht - went to the marine police, Pol Gen Somyot said.

Pol Gen Somyot told reporters that authorities were able to identify the accused recipients easily because the lists showed both the given and nicknames of recipients and their agencies. He said that so many police officers were specified in the lists.

"The lists specify commanders and superintendents. There are real names and nicknames like deputy So and superintendent Yo. People in the Marine Police Division know well who they are. Many other suppressive units with onshore and offshore responsibilities are in the oil smuggling bribery lists," the national police chief said.

Pol Gen Somyot said those proved to have received bribes would face tough disciplinary and criminal actions.

-- Phuket News 2014-11-29

[manhood]

My goodness! What a messed up country is this Thailand! They want to compete in ASIAN.....I sure know now in what they can compete: best in corruption!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thailand lost in Nirwana!

[Jean Pierre Jacquot]

Why hunting for corrupt officials? Every single official in Thailand is corrupt!

[wabothai]

On the positive side, the hunt would never have been possible during a civilian government.

[slapout]

Note the national police chief claims the bribery list goes back two years.

If this is accurate it's reasonable to wonder why corruption on this scale existed without being known about and acted upon.

It's also reasonable to suggest an answer as to why a blind eye was turned and why it's suddenly being jumped all over.

What will the general do if some of his ' people ' are found to be involved or will the investigation be very selectively tailored. .

Not what "will they do" but what did they do with the "unusually expensive" TVs and microphones in government house? I'm all for taking down the corrupt, but given the happy leader's history, it'll be selective law enforcement doubling up as a purge. Like a commentator in The Nation said, everything we've seen so far in the past 6 months is about extenuating their own power base.

Sunstroke may be a better handle for the latter's response. I believe the mics and tvs were returned to sender. To call the nations bs mouth pieces "commenators" may be taking a real shot at responsible commentators. Your reference to the history of the leader and corruption may be somewhat baised, based on your posting history.

[brfsa2]

Finally someone show they got balls. Every police force in Thailand knew what has been going on for years, but nobody dared to do anything fearing the death of every relative.

This is the lowest they can go, funding terrorists in the south with oil.

I hope they all get striped their ranks and gets 20 years in jail.

Now, the future of Thailand looks bright!

Edited November 29, 2014 by brfsa2

[shaggy28303]

Well, this should be like shooting fish in a barrel.....

Looks like Prayut is starting with the police, which is

a good place to begin. I have said it for years, they ARE

the criminals here. And now all these stories are coming

out about the scope of their activities which is boggling.

Guess after he finished gutting the crooked police Prayut

could then start on the customs dept, then move onto

the land office, and then...............

"The first five suspects have been charged with kidnapping a

woman and intimidating her into reducing a total of Bt100 million

owed to her by unspecified individuals to Bt20 million."

And they call all of it tea money. How about the abolishment of the term and anyone using it get reported to a hot line

[janpharma]

..."Hunt for corrupt officials"...this is "a piece of cake"...Don't have to "hunt", there are plenty of them.

The challenge is: ..."how to find non-corrupt officials"...

Good Luck!

[metisdead]

A post containing a formatting error that messed up the formatting of this page has been removed.