Army to review troops' role in dispute

[Lite Beer]

Army to review troops' role in dispute
Salinee Prap,
Panya Thiosangwan
The Sunday Nation

PHUKET: -- Commander in Phuket says soldiers were called in to help 'mediate' a financial argument between two Ukrainian men

Fourth Army commander Lt-General Prakan Cholayuth has instructed the chief of Military Circle 41, Maj-General Theenanat Jindan-gern, to investigate a case in which five soldiers were accused of helping five civilians kidnap a Ukraine businessman, Igor Iermakova, 37, in Phuket - and punish them, if they are found guilty of wrongdoing.

Prakan cited an initial report that the soldiers acted upon a request from a Ukrainian plaintiff to clear a debt problem, saying he wasn't sure about the operation and whether the troops' supervisors knew about it. So, a probe would be launched and the guilty punished under both criminal and disciplinary codes.

Meanwhile, Theenanat, with the backing of Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong, told a press conference yesterday that this case - in which Phuket police arrested 10 people on Friday for illegal detention and extortion in relation to the abduction of Iermakova - was a misunderstanding.

The arrest of the 10 suspects stemmed from a complaint by the victim's wife Maryna Iermakova, 32, who alleged that a Thai woman led three soldiers to take her from her home to join her husband, who was abducted from Mitraprap Beach.

She was allegedly told by two foreign men at the scene that her husband borrowed US$500,000 and that the money had to be repaid or they would kill her husband. The woman agreed to pay $200,000 and a meeting point was set at a local bank, where she was released. Maryna contacted the Ukraine Embassy and Thai police for help, which resulted in the 10 getting arrested, but all suspects have claimed to be innocent.

Theenanat said the soldiers involved were alerted by a plaintiff - later identified as Ukrainian businessman Vladinmir Efladoff - that a transnational criminal was hiding in Phuket. Efladoff wanted the Army to investigate, under martial law, on a special-case basis because of fears the "criminal" might flee.

An initial inquiry and document check on the plaintiff confirmed he had suffered "damages", so the soldiers brought the accuser and the accused to talk at the military circle's facility, with the soldiers serving as mediators and witnesses.

"During the talks, both sides spoke in Ukrainian while a translator explained that the accused had borrowed about Bt15 million from the accuser and the accused agreed to pay up at the meeting point," Theenanat said.

He added that the soldiers were outside the bank at the request of both sides, to serve as witnesses and also to watch both sides' behaviour for national security reasons.

He said the police complaint filed by the victim's wife stemmed from a misunderstanding, adding that he had discussed the incident with the Phuket police chief. He added that everyone was just performed their duty and that police could proceed on the course of justice as the victim's wife had filed a complaint. He affirmed that his subordinates had kept him updated during the operation and said they didn't extort any money.

After the press conference, the five civilians who had bailed themselves out for Bt100,000 cash deposits each, hosted a separate press conference to affirm that they didn't do anything wrong as charged by police. They said they merely assisted the soldiers with translation and accompany them.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Army-to-review-troops-role-in-dispute-30250331.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-21

[hanuman2543]

When you think you heard it all

[NongKhaiKid]

All very, very iffy, soldiers acting as ' mediators ' in a financial dispute ?

Everything's a misunderstanding of course and will likely just fade away.

Incidentally the arrest of soldiers transporting Bt 4 Million's worth of alcohol on which tax hadn't been paid was dealt with very quickly and quietly.

Maximum sentences of 60 days in a military have been imposed.

Edited December 21, 2014 by NongKhaiKid

[tx22cb]

I would like to come to the defence of Thai soldiers/police/judges/politicians - they are the best that money can buy.

[kriswillems]

Really, come on, do they expect us to believe us?
The Thai army and police are known for the fact they can be hired. In the past they have been involved in drug deals and human trafficking.

The army uses the martial law as an excuse for their acts.

Edited December 20, 2014 by kriswillems

[ExPratt]

So no one is charged ............nothing happened ?

[simon43]

In all my years of living in Thailand and reading almost-unbelievable news stories, this story strikes me as being totally, totally unbelievable.

How any of them could keep a straight face whilst telling these fairy tales is beyond me.

Sadly, we'll probably never find out the true story.

[tullynagardy]

The Thai army and police are known for the fact they can be hired. In the past they have been involved in drug deals and human trafficking.

Not in the past, right now the Thai army is involved in prostitution, drug dealing and human trafficking at just about every border crossing into Thailand. It`s worth millions, perhaps billions.

This corruption doesn`t seem on the radar of the dear leader in his clean up however.

[tomyummer]

Ukranian businessman, kidnapping, extortion, abduction, transnational hiding in Phuket, national security reasons, misunderstanding.....

Twighlight Zone.

Edited December 21, 2014 by tomyummer

[NongKhaiKid]

The Thai army and police are known for the fact they can be hired. In the past they have been involved in drug deals and human trafficking.

Not in the past, right now the Thai army is involved in prostitution, drug dealing and human trafficking at just about every border crossing into Thailand. It`s worth millions, perhaps billions.

This corruption doesn`t seem on the radar of the dear leader in his clean up however.

Yes exactly. From Day 1 his selective view on corruption was made clear starting with his brother and handpicked members of the NCPO etc.

[BigBadGeordie]

Oh look, look quickly, a flying pig!!

[FangFerang]

Once upon a time and long, long ago on a continent not so far away, there was a beautiful land of kind and gentle people...then the West came and poisoned their virtues, destroyed their way of life with temptations, and helped the wealthy get even wealthier.

Then I woke up (after I read the story posted above).

Then I puked. It left a bitter taste in my mouth that scorched my teeth.

[Suffinator]

Very creative writing no doubt an idea for another round of Thai soaps.

[klauskunkel]

Meanwhile, Theenanat, with the backing of Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong, told a press conference yesterday that this case - in which Phuket police arrested 10 people on Friday for illegal detention and extortion in relation to the abduction of Iermakova - was a misunderstanding.

Whenever I reach the word 'misunderstanding' in an article about anything Thai, I immediately stop reading.

Trying to understand a Thai misunderstanding will result in a furious migraine with swelling and bleeding of the brain, followed by fainting and finally convulsions and death.

[berybert]

Really, come on, do they expect us to believe us?

The Thai army and police are known for the fact they can be hired. In the past they have been involved in drug deals and human trafficking.

The army uses the martial law as an excuse for their acts.

No they don't expect anyone to believe it.

You do sometimes wonder why they even bother making these stories up tho.

[Bluespunk]

Ukranian businessman, kidnapping, extortion, abduction, transnational hiding in Phuket, national security reasons, misunderstanding.....

Twighlight Zone.

Nah, just another day in Phuket.

[SOTIRIOS]

........'a misunderstanding'.......

.....what.......a...........pathetic......state.............of.........affairs.............

[AGareth2]

Ukranian businessman, kidnapping, extortion, abduction, transnational hiding in Phuket, national security reasons, misunderstanding.....

Twighlight Zone.

excellent novel material

[AleG]

Oy vey!

They should have a second go at "explaining", because that is the most convoluted and unconvincing explanation I've heard of in a while.

[FireMedic]

There can always be "misunderstandings", however here in Thailand, "misunderstandings" usually comes with guys in brown or camo......... with guns.

[Lupatria]

Meanwhile, Theenanat, with the backing of Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong, told a press conference yesterday that this case - in which Phuket police arrested 10 people on Friday for illegal detention and extortion in relation to the abduction of Iermakova - was a misunderstanding.

Whenever I reach the word 'misunderstanding' in an article about anything Thai, I immediately stop reading.

Trying to understand a Thai misunderstanding will result in a furious migraine with swelling and bleeding of the brain, followed by fainting and finally convulsions and death.

Trying to understand a Thai misunderstanding

Maybe that's why you don't spot any Thais with swollen and bleeding brains...

[Tatsujin]

I see we're still living in a fairy tale land here ... what a complete and utter load of <deleted> ... I couldn't speak this load of garbage out loud with a straight face, I'd fall over laughing at the implausibility of it all, yet here ... not only can they say it with a straight face, then even believe 100% the <deleted> they are speaking.

[Alwyn]

not one "quality tourist" comment? That's as incredible as the story!

[Somtamnication]

Sort of on the same line as "my dog ate my homework".

[lildragon]

Crooked cops, soldiers, businessmen and politicians. And they tell bare faced lies even when they are caught red handed.

I'd have a teeny bit more respect for these crooks if they just admitted they were so corrupt.

[MaiChai]

Thai army for hire?

[DLock]

“The creatures outside looked from police to army, and from army to police, and from police to army again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

The only difference is the color of their uniforms.

[fobuff]

"troops' role in dispute" well the country is under martial law... what do you expect

[wow64]

Hahahahaha this story.

April fools. Wrong month Commander.

[noitom]

Thai soldiers acting as mediators, watchers, escorts, and peacekeepers in a personal dispute. Nice country where the military aids and abets Ukranian gangstering that openly threatens to kill the debtor in Thailand.