Former Bangkok metropolitan police commissioner Kamronwit freed in Japan

[Krataiboy]

The trains are coming!

Bullet trains, naturally.

[bristolgeoff]

don,t know how it was sorted,but someone must have had a word to some high people in japan.he is out and must owe someone now.

[NongKhaiKid]

First impressions tend to last and Japan'e reputation as a strict law enforcing country has been badly damaged no matter what explanations they give.

Previous comments that Kamrowit could face charges here will go no further.

i doubt Thai officials, friends etc will resist the temptation to speak about this with more than a hint of crowing and it will be sad but not unexpected if Kamronwit is made some sort of hero.

[yooyoo]

A Major " cop out....no pun intended !

What a shining example of how things are done in Thailand... the rules and laws are for law-abiding citizens not for the cops ... its called Thainess... we will do everything and anything as long we can get away with it... what a pity the Japanese didn't prosecute this crook!!!

[yooyoo]

I think the FAA team might want to have a look at Japan after they've finished in Thailand, this makes the whole airline safety thing in Asia look like a bit of a joke.

Exactly the point!!! How can a cop imagine to carry a gun on board a flight? Oh sorry I didnt now... no have no have ...

[webfact]

CRIME
Camronwit freed, Tokyo airport gun case dropped
Nuntida Puangthong.
Jessada Jantarak
The Nation


File Photo

Ex-city police chief might be barred from japan for years due to overstay; could face gun possession charges in thailand

BANGKOK: -- JAPANESE AUTHORITIES have decided not to prosecute Pol Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank, a former metropolitan police chief, for carrying a gun into the Narita Airport.

Public prosecutors of Japan announced the decision yesterday, after which Camronwit was immediately transferred to an immigration office for further action. Even though the gun case was dropped, he will have to undergo a legal process for having already been in Japan longer than the 15-day visa exemption period.

"We hope Japanese authorities understand that he has no intention to overstay. It's just that he had been detained for interrogation over the gun incident," Police Spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri said yesterday.

He believed that Camronwit would likely be barred from re-entering Japan for up to several years.

"There are two possible scenarios. One comes with a one-year ban and the other comes with a ban lasting for a few years," Prawut said.

The police spokesman said Camronwit, according to his relatives, would arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport today.

Camronwit had been detained in Japan for having a small gun inside his carry-on luggage as he was preparing to board a flight out of Narita Airport back to Bangkok with a group of Thais on June 22.

While Camronwit has admitted it was his gun, he said he was unaware the weapon was in his carry-on luggage.

Prawut said he believed Camronwit's intention must have been taken into account when Japanese public prosecutors ruled on his case.

Asked about the possibility that Camronwit might have taken the gun into the Thai airport for his trip to Japan, Prawut said Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief Lt-General Amnuay Nimmano would have to look into the matter.

"I believe Camronwit will be summoned for questioning," Prawut said.

The gun that landed Camronwit in trouble is a North American Arms .22 Magnum. At this point, it remained unclear as to whether Japanese authorities would seize this weapon and whether the gun was a licensed one.

"We will have to co-ordinate with Japanese authorities further," Prawut said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Camronwit-freed-Tokyo-airport-gun-case-dropped-30264377.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-14

[jaidam]

It's a busy time in life now, many commitments and duties leaving precious little time. But, I will make the time to take my brand of wumming over to the Japanese expat and official forums to harangue them for their recklessness in releasing Kamronwit and proving that Japan is soft on crime. We can't do much as individuals but a few well placed wums will certainly have a bigger effect than sulking into our beers.

[BSJ]

So this is a "Cop Out" in more ways than one!

[jabis]

The only solace that can be taken is that this fool lost face, likely lost his gun too, had the indignity of 2 weeks sweating it out in jail, and best of all got the message that his VIP status doesn't make him immune to scrutiny. Also thinking about the concessions the thai govt made to free him will see him off the overseas junket lists for the foreseeable... Either way he has been taken down a peg despite Japan not manning up like they should have

I think the opposite - he was remanded in custody, but came out as a victor without charges - this rarely happens, and is of course an ego boost as well (see what I did there), eventhough it took a wee bit of time.His VIP status was indeed the one thing that made him immune - of criminal charges, except for overstaying his visa.

[Peabody]

He is being deported. Thai police said ""We hope Japanese authorities understand that he has no intention to overstay. It's just that he had been detained for interrogation over the gun incident," Police Spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri said yesterday."

So, in Japan, I can say "didn't mean to bring a weapon on board" and in Thailand I can say "I didn't mean to overstay my visa"?

[teacherpaul]

Japan's credibility has fallen a few notches. They have made the wrong decision and made themselves look like fools in the eyes of the world.

The Chinese authorities must be laughing into their woks right now.

[godden]

I just hope a great number of countries put him on a black list.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

so now that he might be facing charges back in Thailand, it will be interesting to see how his story changes. He will now probably say that he acquired this illegal, unregistered gun while in Japan and did not take it through the Thai airport.

Liars lie, that's what they do.

[EnglishJohn]

so now that he might be facing charges back in Thailand, it will be interesting to see how his story changes. He will now probably say that he acquired this illegal, unregistered gun while in Japan and did not take it through the Thai airport.

Liars lie, that's what they do.

I doubt he will be pressed too hard about an illegal gun. The press here are as crooked as the politicians : they know which people not to upset. And any friend of Thaksin will be high on that list.

The whole subject will now be closed.

[northernphil]

Is he bringing the gun back with him ? Or have I missed something. If he does bring the gun back it must be ok with Japan then and will it be in his hand luggage along with the bullets ?

[webfact]

Kamronwit now on board TG 641 back home



BANGKOK: -- Japanese immigration today escorted former Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang on board Thai Airways International's Flight TG 641 at Narita airport for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport today after the Japanese prosecutors agreed not to prosecute him.

The flight is expected to arrive at Suvarnabhumi at 3.30 pm today.

The former metropolitan police commissioner was seen at Narita airport in white/grey striped short sleeves shirt and escorted by the Japanese immigration officers.

Photos of his escorted departure at Narita airport was posted and widely shared on the social media this morning.

The flight will arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport at 3.30 pm today.

The former Bangkok policy chief was arrested on June 22 at Narita airport as he was about to board a Thai flight back to Bangkok after leading a team of local administration officials in Pathum Thani on an inspection trip of trash burning power plant in Japan.

He was found to have a North American Arms .22 mini revolver inside his carry-on baggage.

Meanwhile First Region Provincial Police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Amnuay Nimmano said he would summon a team of police investigators for a meeting today to consult whether it was possible to summon the former metropolitan police commissioner for questioning as soon as he arrives at Suvarnabhumi.

The team will question how the gun was able to get on board and pass the security check at the airport, he said.

At the same time Immigration Bureau commander Pol Maj Gen Suvichpol Imchairajata said so far the immigration police have not yet been requested by the First Region Provincial Police to book Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit for questioning.

He assured that the former Bangkok police Chief would be treated as a normal passenger with no privileges or pass through the special checkpoint channel for ViPs.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/kamronwit-now-on-board-tg-641-back-home


-- Thai PBS 2015-07-14

[NongKhaiKid]

A team of police investigators will be summoned to a meeting to consult on whether it's possible to summon Kamronwit for questioning as soon as he arrives back ?

So the BIB need to convene a brains trust to pool knowledge and decide if they can question someone ?

I can't decide if this is a Hollywood production or something from the Hammer Horror studios.

[Artisi]

As I said all along this is not that serious as to commit a crime like this you need to show "Intent". Since he did not intend to commit a crime then they did the only thing they could do. Which was: Hold Him! Question Him! Then let Him Go!

You are probably 100% correct, but how can you be so certain?

Terrorists nowadays resort to all sorts of methods to achieve the goals.

I am sure EVERY SINGLE PERSON who flies is well aware of the rules about fire arms. Just arriving at the airport and seeing all the signs would be enough to jog someone's memory and make them check their baggage if they have carried a weapon. I cannot believe that he forgot he had it.

He didn't forget it, people of his ilk think their sh-t doesn't stink and they are allowed to do what they damn well please.

A very poor show on the part of Japan, if he was to be given a free-pass, he should have at least appeared before a judge and as a minimum given a severe bollocking for stupidity and to make sure the loss of face was well rubbed in.

How do you know he is getting a "free-pass" ? How do you know that he has not appeared before a judge? We have only heard the announcements of some in the Thai establishment, and we have heard many times how they put their own spin ( lies) on the events that have occurred in other countries.

All we factually know at this point is that " Camronwit has been released from detention and handed over to the immigration police for deporting back to Thailand" . To me that sounds as if he is being thrown out of Japan in humiliation. Who knows what else is not being told. The Japanese are silent on the matter.

And do you have to be so pedantic; and you might have noted the "if he was "

[Baerboxer]

A team of police investigators will be summoned to a meeting to consult on whether it's possible to summon Kamronwit for questioning as soon as he arrives back ?

So the BIB need to convene a brains trust to pool knowledge and decide if they can question someone ?

I can't decide if this is a Hollywood production or something from the Hammer Horror studios.

Of course they do. No one will make a decision or take responsibility for diddly squat. Look at the silly machinations with the Chief of Police and the question of stripping Thaksin's police rank. Just keeps batting it away. Won't do it, or refuse to do it. Just delay, delay and hope it goes away. (How on earth did such an indecisive person become the most senior policeman and one of the apparently shrewdest stock market investors?).

He'll probably say the gun was left in his suitcase, with ammo. He didn't know it was there and checked it in. The airport scanners for checked in luggage are set up for bombs not mini guns and tiny bullets. Of course, they've been modified now. He found the gun when unpacking. He didn't want to loose it because it was a present from a dear friend. So he put it in his hand luggage, along with the ammo, so he could declare it and have it "boarded" and then given back to him when the plane landed. Of course, he would have explained all this to the police at both airports had he been given the chance. At no time was their an intention to use the gun, do anything bad or mislead anyone, and as a former very senior policeman we can believe him.

There all a big misunderstanding and much ado about nothing really. I hope this pesky Japanese feel silly now for having detained such an important person.

[skildpadden]

Well at least he suffered loss of face big time. Hopefully he has now learned a lesson that nobody cares about if you are a former sheriff.

Edited July 14, 2015 by skildpadden

[Nobb]

Freed because he had no intention of carry a 22 on a Japan air flight. Just like he said it was in his luggage when he left Thailand. Thailand says it was not in his luggage when he left Thailand. Then he says he got it in Japan. But still no prison sentence. Only the poor go to jail for not having political power

behind you. Just like the rest of the bad Thai police. But the good and honest ones reputations suffer from many bad cops!

[Graham8888]

CRIME

Camronwit freed, Tokyo airport gun case dropped

Nuntida Puangthong.

Jessada Jantarak

The Nation

File Photo

Ex-city police chief might be barred from japan for years due to overstay; could face gun possession charges in thailand

BANGKOK: -- JAPANESE AUTHORITIES have decided not to prosecute Pol Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank, a former metropolitan police chief, for carrying a gun into the Narita Airport.

Public prosecutors of Japan announced the decision yesterday, after which Camronwit was immediately transferred to an immigration office for further action. Even though the gun case was dropped, he will have to undergo a legal process for having already been in Japan longer than the 15-day visa exemption period.

"We hope Japanese authorities understand that he has no intention to overstay. It's just that he had been detained for interrogation over the gun incident," Police Spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri said yesterday.

He believed that Camronwit would likely be barred from re-entering Japan for up to several years.

"There are two possible scenarios. One comes with a one-year ban and the other comes with a ban lasting for a few years," Prawut said.

The police spokesman said Camronwit, according to his relatives, would arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport today.

Camronwit had been detained in Japan for having a small gun inside his carry-on luggage as he was preparing to board a flight out of Narita Airport back to Bangkok with a group of Thais on June 22.

While Camronwit has admitted it was his gun, he said he was unaware the weapon was in his carry-on luggage.

Prawut said he believed Camronwit's intention must have been taken into account when Japanese public prosecutors ruled on his case.

Asked about the possibility that Camronwit might have taken the gun into the Thai airport for his trip to Japan, Prawut said Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief Lt-General Amnuay Nimmano would have to look into the matter.

"I believe Camronwit will be summoned for questioning," Prawut said.

The gun that landed Camronwit in trouble is a North American Arms .22 Magnum. At this point, it remained unclear as to whether Japanese authorities would seize this weapon and whether the gun was a licensed one.

"We will have to co-ordinate with Japanese authorities further," Prawut said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Camronwit-freed-Tokyo-airport-gun-case-dropped-30264377.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-14

So they haven't even checked if he took the gun into a Thai airport yet???!!! TIT

[off road pat]

And in other news, Japanese companies in Thailand will now enjoy special tax exemption status for 10 years...................

Yep,...Something like that....!!!

[Lupatria]

Hope its a non stop flight.

[petedk]

"We hope Japanese authorities understand that he has no intention to overstay. It's just that he had been detained for interrogation over the gun incident," Police Spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri said yesterday.

Oh.... what about the foreign tourists who are hospitalised in Thailand just before their visa expires?

They have no intention of overstaying, but still get fined if they don't apply for an extension.

[thhMan]

Hmmm... so if it was a kilo of heroine and he didnt know it was in his bag... that too would be ok?

[ravip]

There is not a single soul in the East of this planet that can be called honest.

Hmmmm... food for thought.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Just saw the dude walk smiling into his VIP van at the airport on tv. Yeah right he's getting charged.

[HeijoshinCool]

Well at least he suffered loss of face big time. Hopefully he has now learned a lesson that nobody cares about if you are a former sheriff.

.

Well at least he suffered loss of face big time.

Only for a brief moment in time. But ultimately, he won.

Now he will be even more arrogant, braggadocios, and sadly, dangerous to society at large.

[kaorop]

So, was he deported and blacklisted?

Shirely that would be the least he faced?

Japan, in the international arena, you just kissed Thai ass.

Hope it comes up smelling of roses, but please tell us whos shit dont stink?

Edited July 14, 2015 by kaorop