Court finds former top cop guilty of embezzling gems
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A former senior policeman has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for embezzling jewellery and other valuables in police custody linked to the Saudi jewellery scandal 22 years ago.

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a lower court verdict.

In June 2006, Pol Colonel Prasert Janthraphiphat was found guilty by the Criminal Court, and the Court of Appeals upheld the verdict in February 2012 and sentenced him to 10 years for stealing a number of valuables.

The verdict in 2012 also ruled that three other suspects - all police who worked on the Saudi gems-theft case acquitted by the Criminal Court - were guilty but commuted their long jail terms to shorter ones after they returned a large amount of money they stole. None but Prasert, a former commander of the mounted police subdivision, made an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Thatphol Kerdthes, formerly crime-buster Pol Lt-General Chalor Kerdthes, was given a 20-year term for associated roles. He was the first defendant in the embezzlement trial involving Prasert. He was freed in October last year after serving 19 years, having qualified for release because of old age and chronic illnesses.

Thatphol, 72, has had his police rank and royal decorations taken from him.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Court-finds-former-top-cop-guilty-of-embezzling-ge-30250768.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-27

Is that what he was found guilty of ?

The BKK post says he was found guilty of taking a bribe from the jeweler who bought the gems.

He still gets 10yrs whatever, and presumably he has been out on bail for the past 10yrs waiting for appeals to be heard.

This appeals taking years nonsense needs to be sorted, everything over and done with in less than 2yrs preferably less than one.

22 years ago???? It's pretty clear where reform is needed.

Why does the media insist on using the term ' crime buster ' when nothing could be further from the truth ?

Another corrupt flatfoot in the land of smiles, ceases to become news, is a fact of life.

Something akin to... "and today it will be hot in Thailand."

Why does the media insist on using the term ' crime buster ' when nothing could be further from the truth ?

While I whole heartedly agree with you, they were actually good at their job.

They found the jewels and those responsible for the theft.

However they were also greedy, grasping criminal scum, which is where it all went wrong I guess.

Justice finally seen to be done,but is he actually in prison,

sometimes you just don't know.

regards Worgeordie

The verdict in 2012 also ruled that three other suspects - all police who worked on the Saudi gems-theft case acquitted by the Criminal Court - were guilty but commuted their long jail terms to shorter ones after they returned a large amount of money they stole

returned money? returned to who? The Saudis? Or is this a different case and they all just happened to also 'have worked' on the Saudi case as well?

Konfused Klaus

Maybe he knew the whereabouts of the Blue Diamond??

Hence the long prison term.

PS. The rock looks lovely on her yellow dress!!

Edited December 27, 201411 yr by JOC

I bet they thought he would never get caught,being a high ranked officer

Maybe he knew the whereabouts of the Blue Diamond??

Hence the long prison term.

PS. The rock looks lovely on her yellow dress!!

Why yellow - I would have thought the Blue Diamond would be better with a blue dress. eg

Why does the media insist on using the term ' crime buster ' when nothing could be further from the truth ?

While I whole heartedly agree with you, they were actually good at their job.

They found the jewels and those responsible for the theft.

However they were also greedy, grasping criminal scum, which is where it all went wrong I guess.

they were actually good at their job.!!!! Half of the jewels they returned where fake, plus the missing blue diamond. Hmmm not that good i would say.

Maybe he knew the whereabouts of the Blue Diamond??

Hence the long prison term.

PS. The rock looks lovely on her yellow dress!!

And don't expect it to be returned to it's rightful owner or heirs of! Brings a new meaning to receiving stolen goods when it goes that far up the chain

Edited December 27, 201411 yr by ggold

Maybe he knew the whereabouts of the Blue Diamond??

Hence the long prison term.

PS. The rock looks lovely on her yellow dress!!

Why yellow - I would have thought the Blue Diamond would be better with a blue dress. eg

and the brand of cigars is "Blow Me"

Why does the media insist on using the term ' crime buster ' when nothing could be further from the truth ?

While I whole heartedly agree with you, they were actually good at their job.

They found the jewels and those responsible for the theft.

However they were also greedy, grasping criminal scum, which is where it all went wrong I guess.

they were actually good at their job.!!!! Half of the jewels they returned where fake, plus the missing blue diamond. Hmmm not that good i would say.

And who do you think pocketed the real thing and replaced them with fakes?

They were very good at finding the gems, just not honest enough to return them.

And stupid enough to think could get away with returning fakes.

However, find them they did.

The ruling elites of this country should sleep poorly each night, as it is just a matter of time

until this case is made into a movie...... It is truly a perfect example of a society gone wrong.

If they had any brains at all, the jewels would be returned anonymously, Thai people could

go back to work in Saudi Arabia, and this will fade away. With the jewels not being

returned, this case will stay a festering sore.....

There is an old saying, that stupid people think they are really smart. Some sort of

protective mechanism I guess. But the Thai police returning cheap paste fakes of

the jewels to Saudi Arabia in a big show, is still one of the funniest things I have ever

read. Did the police think that was actually going to fly ???

Actually with the military in charge now, perhaps they could force a return of the

Blue Diamond. That would surely bring happiness to the people, as thousand

of Isan workers could now return to high paying jobs in Saudi Arabia.

Edited December 27, 201411 yr by EyesWideOpen

So, if it is a conclusive fact that Thailand's top cops cannot be trusted in their investigations, and steal things, and cook the books, and who knows what else, then it is entirely plausible that every single criminal case in Thailand could be up for question, and especially any criminal case these officers have been involved in, yes?

It really makes me think of Koh Tao. I simply cannot get this out of my head.

Nah! I didn't think so...

The ruling elites of this country should sleep poorly each night, as it is just a matter of time

until this case is made into a movie...... It is truly a perfect example of a society gone wrong.

If they had any brains at all, the jewels would be returned anonymously, Thai people could

go back to work in Saudi Arabia, and this will fade away. With the jewels not being

returned, this case will stay a festering sore.....

There is an old saying, that stupid people think they are really smart. Some sort of

protective mechanism I guess. But the Thai police returning cheap paste fakes of

the jewels to Saudi Arabia in a big show, is still one of the funniest things I have ever

read. Did the police think that was actually going to fly ???

Actually with the military in charge now, perhaps they could force a return of the

Blue Diamond. That would surely bring happiness to the people, as thousand

of Isan workers could now return to high paying jobs in Saudi Arabia.

I think the Philippinos and the Indonesians have taken up the slack by now.....

Is there anything in Thailand that cops are not guilty of ????

The ruling elites of this country should sleep poorly each night, as it is just a matter of time

until this case is made into a movie...... It is truly a perfect example of a society gone wrong.

If they had any brains at all, the jewels would be returned anonymously, Thai people could

go back to work in Saudi Arabia, and this will fade away. With the jewels not being

returned, this case will stay a festering sore.....

There is an old saying, that stupid people think they are really smart. Some sort of

protective mechanism I guess. But the Thai police returning cheap paste fakes of

the jewels to Saudi Arabia in a big show, is still one of the funniest things I have ever

read. Did the police think that was actually going to fly ???

Actually with the military in charge now, perhaps they could force a return of the

Blue Diamond. That would surely bring happiness to the people, as thousand

of Isan workers could now return to high paying jobs in Saudi Arabia.

I appreciate that this might be the result if this was Thailand dealing with an EU country. However it is not and in my opinion, your theory is wrong on 3 counts. I will detail them.

1. The Saudis had their people murdered here. The case has never been resolved. Nobody has paid. The Saudis will not forget this.

2. You are of the opinion the very high levels of Thai society actually care less about the longstanding breakdown in relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. They don't. They could not care less. Don't believe the annual announcements of various administrations. The wealthy families would not cross the road to please the Saudis.

3. A military administration is the least likely to broker a thaw in relations. If you don't understand this, you don't understand the stated raison d'etre of the Thai military.

The ruling elites of this country should sleep poorly each night, as it is just a matter of time

until this case is made into a movie...... It is truly a perfect example of a society gone wrong.

If they had any brains at all, the jewels would be returned anonymously, Thai people could

go back to work in Saudi Arabia, and this will fade away. With the jewels not being

returned, this case will stay a festering sore.....

There is an old saying, that stupid people think they are really smart. Some sort of

protective mechanism I guess. But the Thai police returning cheap paste fakes of

the jewels to Saudi Arabia in a big show, is still one of the funniest things I have ever

read. Did the police think that was actually going to fly ???

Actually with the military in charge now, perhaps they could force a return of the

Blue Diamond. That would surely bring happiness to the people, as thousand

of Isan workers could now return to high paying jobs in Saudi Arabia.

I appreciate that this might be the result if this was Thailand dealing with an EU country. However it is not and in my opinion, your theory is wrong on 3 counts. I will detail them.

1. The Saudis had their people murdered here. The case has never been resolved. Nobody has paid. The Saudis will not forget this.

2. You are of the opinion the very high levels of Thai society actually care less about the longstanding breakdown in relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. They don't. They could not care less. Don't believe the annual announcements of various administrations. The wealthy families would not cross the road to please the Saudis.

3. A military administration is the least likely to broker a thaw in relations. If you don't understand this, you don't understand the stated raison d'etre of the Thai military.

Your points are valid. Saudi Arabia has declared publicly that if the blue diamond is returned, then relations will be restored. So apparently they are willing to overlook the Thai policemen killing off Saudi diplomats. And yes of course the ruling elite could give a flying fig about the common Thai person. Perhaps you misunderstood the intention of me saying they are sleeping poorly. That should be from the fear that this entire mess will be made into a movie, causing loss of face that would be beyond comprehension for them. :-) Also I fully understand the role of the Thai military, and it is not to protect Thailand from an invasion by Laos..... To understand that just do your own research on the King and Queen's guards.

I have tried to find the famous photo of the elites farting on Saudi Arabia by openly wearing the jewels at a social function , but so far have not found it.

Edited December 28, 201411 yr by EyesWideOpen