Army in Phuket probes military corruption allegations

[webfact]

Army in Phuket probes military corruption allegations

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan (centre) leads the inspection at Surin Beach yesterday (Nov 28). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- The Commander of the Royal Thai Army 41st Military Circle, which heads Army operations in Phuket, has reported that nine individuals have been questioned following a complaint accusing army officers of “collecting money” from business operators on the island.

 

“We received a complaint about corruption in Phuket stating that military officers were involved,” Maj Gen Arkom Pongprom, Commander of the 41st Military Circle, told a public meeting at Provincial Hall yesterday (Nov 28).

 

“Our office does not have a policy for us to collect money from business operators,” he said.

 

“Our investigation into the allegation led us to nine individuals. We questioned them, but as we did not catch them red-handed and do not have enough evidence to prosecute them, they have not been punished.

 

“However, they are under surveillance and required to report to us from time to time,” Gen Arkom said.

 

In elusive language, Gen Arkom said the nine suspects “come from different agencies”, but did not in Thai language specifically identify that they agencies were governmental, or that the suspects were officials in active service.

 

Accusations of army officers involved in collecting payments from local businesses follows police and army investigators releasing without charge Prapoj Nunphakdee after he was caught impersonating a high-ranking army officer.

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/army-in-phuket-probes-military-corruption-allegations-60049.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2016-11-29

[WhizBang]

So, the military will investigate themselves?  Yeah, that sounds about right.  Just as the RTP are in charge of deciding on their own reforms.

 

Thailand is so hopeless.  There is no will to change.
 

[transam]

...............

[steelepulse]

There must be a lot of evidence and corroborating witnesses if this is even making the news.  

[DrDave]

“Our office does not have a policy for us to collect money from business operators,” he said.

 

"Policy" and "standard operating procedure" can sometimes be conflicting practices.

[yellowboat]

Any Thai agency investigating itself is as useful as sending lettuce by rabbit.

"In elusive language, Gen Arkom said"  Most of us who work for a living have to use definitive, exacting words.   The bar for the Army and other institutions is set rather low.

 

[tifino]

 

Investigating yourself = squeezing your own zits...

 

 

a bit of blood will flow

 

but very soon, all amazingly comes up clean

[Sakeopete]

“However, they are under surveillance and required to report to us from time to time,” Gen Arkom said.

 

With a share of the proceeds! 

[bark]

3 hours ago, WhizBang said:

So, the military will investigate themselves?  Yeah, that sounds about right.  Just as the RTP are in charge of deciding on their own reforms.

 

Thailand is so hopeless.  There is no will to change.
 

Can you say Arab Spring.

[nomadicjunkie]

Shocking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Srikcir]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

we did not catch them red-handed

TRANSLATION:

For if we did, their collection wouldn't be an issue - just distributed in a different way.

[sendintheclowns]

''However, they are under surveillance and required to report to us from time to time,” Gen Arkom said. Is it the Goon Show? Or is it Sting - ''every Step you take, I'll be watching you''.