Former CIB commissioner Pongpat gets 15 years more in jail

[webfact]

Former CIB commissioner gets 15 years more in jail



BANGKOK: -- Former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) commissioner Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison after the Criminal Court found him guilty in two cases of bribe takings.

The latest prison term is in addition to the jail sentence he earlier received and convicted by the Criminal Court on other charges.

In total the latest jail term today will put him to 31 years and nine months in prison.

The former CIB commissioner and five other former senior police officers under his command at the CIB were escorted from their prisons to hear the court’s judgement Thursday on two bribe taking cases, one involving taking bribes from oil smuggling business in the South, and taking bribes from police officers seeking promotion in the CIB.

In the first case involving bribes from oil smuggling, Pol Lt Gen Pongpat, Pol Maj Gen Kowit Wongrungroj, former CIB deputy commissioner, and Pol Man Gen Boonsueb Praituen, former marine police commander, were found guilty of taking bribes of over 147 million baht from oil smugglers in the Thai territorial waters from February 2012-July 2014.

The court sentenced Pongpat and Kowit to 10 years in prison but commuted by half after they confessed to the crimes.

But for Pol Maj Gen Boonsueb, he was also found guilty of lese majeste in addition to bribe taking. He was then given 15 years, but halved to seven years and six months.

In the second case five officers were indicted. They are Pongpat, Kowit, Pol Col Wuthichart Luensukhon, Pol Sgt Surasak Chan-ngao, and Pol Sgt Chakrin Laothong.

They were indicted for a conspiracy to demand 3-5 million baht from several police officers in exchange for getting promotion to key positions in the CIB. The sum was required by them to pay on a monthly instalment basis of 10,000-2,000,000 baht.

The bribe takings happened during 1 October 2010-11 November 2014.

The court ruled the five guilty of the charges and handed down 20 years sentence on the former CIB commissioner and his deputy, and 12 years each for three subordinates.

As all have confessed to the guilts, the sentences were then commuted by half.

Pongpat and Kowit got 10 years, and the other former officers six years in prison.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/former-cib-commissioner-gets-15-years-more-years-in-jail


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-26

[ratcatcher]

Well if that's the case, they will be bringing Pongpat out in a case in 31 years or sooner. I have to say it could not have happened to a nicer guy.

Enjoy the fine cuisine and wines mate.

[ezzra]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

[ratcatcher]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

I think you meant wrath. Pongpat will get the wreath sometime in the future when he fails to make it to roll call.

[tomacht8]

So it can go.

Fast criminal investigation, ensuring the booty, fast, timely trial, guilty, no bail and prison.
Next one please.

Edited February 26, 2015 by tomacht8

[Costas2008]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

ezzra, please let's be sensible now......

Not, the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people but the Damocles sword of justice in the hands of the present government.

They are delivering and keeping the law alive.

What a contrast from the previous governments............................

[FangFerang]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

ezzra, please let's be sensible now......

Not, the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people but the Damocles sword of justice in the hands of the present government.

They are delivering and keeping the law alive.

What a contrast from the previous governments............................

The Greek myth of Damocles has nothing to do with Justice, nor Athena. This is no contrast from any previous governments. It is an isolated case that was selectively enforced for reasons that are not allowed to be discussed in Thailand, although foreign newspapers have covered the charade in detail. The only thing delivered was a whale-sized red herring with a large helping of pompous hubris on the side, and keeping their version of injustice as law... alive...like a zombie is alive.

Costas, with your myth mangling miasma, do you even study the profound myths of the Greeks, much less are you actually Greek?

[clockman]

They are being very selective. In who is corrupt?

[steelepulse]

All was hunky dory until someone wanted some greener grass.

[DKUNPUTAF713]

Costa2008: You need to smarten up and cease with the trolling remarks.

What has happened here is certainly not a result of any actions by the Junta!

Do you understand now or are you so dense?

[Plowman]

When its all said and done, I wonder which will be the higher - the constantly revised losses of the rice scheme or this guys jail sentence?

[laocowboy2]

Costa2008: You need to smarten up and cease with the trolling remarks.

What has happened here is certainly not a result of any actions by the Junta!

Do you understand now or are you so dense?

Dense I believe

[laocowboy2]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

ezzra, please let's be sensible now......

Not, the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people but the Damocles sword of justice in the hands of the present government.

They are delivering and keeping the law alive.

What a contrast from the previous governments............................

The Greek myth of Damocles has nothing to do with Justice, nor Athena. This is no contrast from any previous governments. It is an isolated case that was selectively enforced for reasons that are not allowed to be discussed in Thailand, although foreign newspapers have covered the charade in detail. The only thing delivered was a whale-sized red herring with a large helping of pompous hubris on the side, and keeping their version of injustice as law... alive...like a zombie is alive.

Costas, with your myth mangling miasma, do you even study the profound myths of the Greeks, much less are you actually Greek?

Comment ref selective enforcement very nicely put.

[sprq]

Serves him right for having the wrong relatives. You have to choose your brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles carefully. Oh, and be careful when you pick your parents too.

[wabothai]

Now the trick is to keep him in there.

[fireblade919]

Yes the previous government had corruption,maybe shinawatra might have swept this under the carpet and got her dividend,but the leader of the government at the moment is doing a great job in trying to make Thailand a honest hard working law abiding country,Thailand can show the world they are a prosperous country

[The Deerhunter]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

ezzra, please let's be sensible now......

Not, the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people but the Damocles sword of justice in the hands of the present government.

They are delivering and keeping the law alive.

What a contrast from the previous governments............................

"The Sword of Damocles is hanging over my head,

and I've got a feeling someone is gonna be cutting the thread................ ..............And I'm at the start of a pretty big downer!"

A verse from The Rocky Horror Picture Show specially written for Mr Pongpat.

Yes he deserves it. Yes it was a jack-up. But sometimes bad things happen to bad people. Unfortunately, not often enough in the land of smiles.

[cookee68]

I am surprised that they never got unlimited bail to appeal, wow

[SaamBaht]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

ezzra, please let's be sensible now......

Not, the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people but the Damocles sword of justice in the hands of the present government.

They are delivering and keeping the law alive.

What a contrast from the previous governments............................

The Greek myth of Damocles has nothing to do with Justice, nor Athena. This is no contrast from any previous governments. It is an isolated case that was selectively enforced for reasons that are not allowed to be discussed in Thailand, although foreign newspapers have covered the charade in detail. The only thing delivered was a whale-sized red herring with a large helping of pompous hubris on the side, and keeping their version of injustice as law... alive...like a zombie is alive.

Costas, with your myth mangling miasma, do you even study the profound myths of the Greeks, much less are you actually Greek?

If only this were a sign of a change but as you characterized it, just an isolated purge of badly connected individuals who suddenly lost power. Ah, shucks. I'm sure these guys deserve some sort of punishment for a lifetime of bad behavior but it had nothing to do with that. So justice not served.

[Hopho]

In total the latest jail term today will put him to 31 years and nine months in prison.

That will get other people's attention, and make their arsecrack rather sweaty.

[rametindallas]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

ezzra, please let's be sensible now......

Not, the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people but the Damocles sword of justice in the hands of the present government.

They are delivering and keeping the law alive.

What a contrast from the previous governments............................

The Greek myth of Damocles has nothing to do with Justice, nor Athena. This is no contrast from any previous governments. It is an isolated case that was selectively enforced for reasons that are not allowed to be discussed in Thailand, although foreign newspapers have covered the charade in detail. The only thing delivered was a whale-sized red herring with a large helping of pompous hubris on the side, and keeping their version of injustice as law... alive...like a zombie is alive.

Costas, with your myth mangling miasma, do you even study the profound myths of the Greeks, much less are you actually Greek?

This is no contrast from any previous governments.

Why, can you name even one previous Thai government that has successfully prosecuted such a high ranking government official for corruption? I think you can't and therefore the quote is false.

The PM is distinguishing himself in his efforts to reform the RTP, the Civil Service, the Sangha, the taxi/beach/casino/beggar mafias, and the political process.

Edited February 26, 2015 by rametindallas

[tomacht8]

When its all said and done, I wonder which will be the higher - the constantly revised losses of the rice scheme or this guys jail sentence?

The losses of the rice scheme: 700.000.000.000 Baht

The CIB heist: 4.000.000.000 Baht (estimate)

Edited February 26, 2015 by tomacht8

[rametindallas]

Costa2008: You need to smarten up and cease with the trolling remarks.

What has happened here is certainly not a result of any actions by the Junta!

Do you understand now or are you so dense?

Dense I believe

Another long-dormant member crawls out from under a rock to comment. Where have you been for the last seven years? You joined in 2007 and only 321 posts?

Dense I believe

After all these years, is that all you have to contribute?

[rametindallas]

Serves him right for having the wrong relatives. You have to choose your brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles carefully. Oh, and be careful when you pick your parents too.

It also help if you don't use your standing to engage in corrupt and criminal enterprises on a grand scale. His brother has the very same relatives; is he being prosecuted also? Maybe you think his prosecution was 'political'.

[ableguy]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

ezzra, please let's be sensible now......

Not, the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people but the Damocles sword of justice in the hands of the present government.

They are delivering and keeping the law alive.

What a contrast from the previous governments............................

The Greek myth of Damocles has nothing to do with Justice, nor Athena. This is no contrast from any previous governments. It is an isolated case that was selectively enforced for reasons that are not allowed to be discussed in Thailand, although foreign newspapers have covered the charade in detail. The only thing delivered was a whale-sized red herring with a large helping of pompous hubris on the side, and keeping their version of injustice as law... alive...like a zombie is alive.

Costas, with your myth mangling miasma, do you even study the profound myths of the Greeks, much less are you actually Greek?

FangFerang. You spout utter garbage, your lack of education comes through so clearly.

[SaamBaht]

Oh how the mighty have fallen... the higher they're, the harder they fall, this is what happened when one

incur the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people......

ezzra, please let's be sensible now......

Not, the wreath of the invincible and the powerful people but the Damocles sword of justice in the hands of the present government.

They are delivering and keeping the law alive.

What a contrast from the previous governments............................

The Greek myth of Damocles has nothing to do with Justice, nor Athena. This is no contrast from any previous governments. It is an isolated case that was selectively enforced for reasons that are not allowed to be discussed in Thailand, although foreign newspapers have covered the charade in detail. The only thing delivered was a whale-sized red herring with a large helping of pompous hubris on the side, and keeping their version of injustice as law... alive...like a zombie is alive.

Costas, with your myth mangling miasma, do you even study the profound myths of the Greeks, much less are you actually Greek?

This is no contrast from any previous governments.

Why, can you name even one previous Thai government that has successfully prosecuted such a high ranking government official for corruption? I think you can't and therefore the quote is false.

The PM is distinguishing himself in his efforts to reform the RTP, the Civil Service, the Sangha, the taxi/beach/casino/beggar mafias, and the political process.

His reform of the RTP has amounted to knocking off undesirable "connected" people for reasons other than corruption.

His reform of the political process has been to indefinitely postpone it and when resurfaces will undoubtedly be controlled by a body of appointed people selected to serve the long standing Central Thailand elite.

Oh that's right, he's temporarily run off some grungy jet ski operators who will return just as any liquid falls to the lowest possible depths.

Mr. Happy is a crackin good gent! And yes, like no other before him. Just ask the teachers who suddenly had to test their students on his command and incorporate the results in their evaluation books. Just ask the students who have to now forego a real subject like English or Math to study the all important 12 values.

Now that has never before been seen round these parts!!!

[NeilSA1]

This is no contrast from any previous governments.

Why, can you name even one previous Thai government that has successfully prosecuted such a high ranking government official for corruption? I think you can't and therefore the quote is false.

The PM is distinguishing himself in his efforts to reform the RTP, the Civil Service, the Sangha, the taxi/beach/casino/beggar mafias, and the political process.

His reform of the RTP has amounted to knocking off undesirable "connected" people for reasons other than corruption.

His reform of the political process has been to indefinitely postpone it and when resurfaces will undoubtedly be controlled by a body of appointed people selected to serve the long standing Central Thailand elite.

Oh that's right, he's temporarily run off some grungy jet ski operators who will return just as any liquid falls to the lowest possible depths.

Mr. Happy is a crackin good gent! And yes, like no other before him. Just ask the teachers who suddenly had to test their students on his command and incorporate the results in their evaluation books. Just ask the students who have to now forego a real subject like English or Math to study the all important 12 values.

Now that has never before been seen round these parts!!!

Genuine question. Was Maths and English really removed to allow students to study the 12 values?

[SaamBaht]

His reform of the RTP has amounted to knocking off undesirable "connected" people for reasons other than corruption.

His reform of the political process has been to indefinitely postpone it and when resurfaces will undoubtedly be controlled by a body of appointed people selected to serve the long standing Central Thailand elite.

Oh that's right, he's temporarily run off some grungy jet ski operators who will return just as any liquid falls to the lowest possible depths.

Mr. Happy is a crackin good gent! And yes, like no other before him. Just ask the teachers who suddenly had to test their students on his command and incorporate the results in their evaluation books. Just ask the students who have to now forego a real subject like English or Math to study the all important 12 values.

Now that has never before been seen round these parts!!!

Genuine question. Was Maths and English really removed to allow students to study the 12 values?

According to my pal the teacher, they cut a three hour a week English grammar class by one hour to make room for the course. That was mid year. He also says they threw in a year end exam for certain levels that was mandated to be part of their final overall grade, so they had to delay their grading books to supervise these exams, grade them, and then find a place to put the scores into the grade books. This was mandated a week before finals week, no planning, no notice

Now that's an all powerful, never before seen Thai government!

[Torrens54]

Well if that's the case, they will be bringing Pongpat out in a case in 31 years or sooner. I have to say it could not have happened to a nicer guy.

Enjoy the fine cuisine and wines mate.

I'll bet there is a line of inmates a mile-long just waiting to make him feel welcome in his new home.

[halloween]

His reform of the RTP has amounted to knocking off undesirable "connected" people for reasons other than corruption.

His reform of the political process has been to indefinitely postpone it and when resurfaces will undoubtedly be controlled by a body of appointed people selected to serve the long standing Central Thailand elite.

Oh that's right, he's temporarily run off some grungy jet ski operators who will return just as any liquid falls to the lowest possible depths.

Mr. Happy is a crackin good gent! And yes, like no other before him. Just ask the teachers who suddenly had to test their students on his command and incorporate the results in their evaluation books. Just ask the students who have to now forego a real subject like English or Math to study the all important 12 values.

Now that has never before been seen round these parts!!!

Are you claiming Pongpat was NOT corrupt? It seems bloody obvious that he was, but you seem to be saying he is only being prosecuted because he was connected, which leads to the glaring conclusion that he wasn't previously prosecuted because he was connected.

Most of us don't care about the motivation of those prosecuting if guilt is proven. And if the prosecution extends to those who protected him in the past, so much the better.