Corruption scandal: More arrests ahead
The arrest of seven high-ranking police officers and five civilians has not yet brought an end to the corruption scandal that became known this week. Police Commissioner Somyot Pumpunmuang (second from left) announced at a press conference yesterday that more arrests will follow and more illegal assets will be seized.
The newspaper now talks about a gang led by Pongpat Chayaphan, former head of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), and was abruptly suspended on November 11. The "gang" spent years collecting bribes from gambling establishments across the country, bribes in exchange for promotions within the police force, extortion from petrol smugglers, money laundering and lèse majesté.
House searches have been made at 15 places: 11 houses belonging to Pongpat, 1 belonging to his second husband, 2 belonging to the commissioner who recently committed suicide, and 1 belonging to a civilian. Some of Pongpat's houses were supposed to give the impression that they were still under construction. Buried safes and hidden places have been found containing money, rare artifacts, expensive Buddha images and amulets, and gold ornaments (pictured). Luxury vehicles and land deeds have also been seized.
Two of the suspects have been released on bail because they were only guilty of encroachment (cracking of land). The rest are allowed to contemplate their sins in the cell. Pongpat allegedly made a full confession.
Asked at the press conference why police commanders have not acted for years, Somyot said: "I don't know what they thought in the past, but under my rule - no matter how important they are - I will not allow this to happen again. There will be new guidelines for the CIB, on which policy and promotions must be based.'
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says police have their full support in investigating the case. “Whoever is involved, they will be caught. I have a dream that police reform will end corruption, illegal acts and abuse of authority.”
(Source: bangkok mail, Nov. 26, 2014)
Earlier messages:
Seven senior police officers and five civilians implicated in corruption scandal
Large-scale corruption: Eight senior police officers arrested
I have now printed all this from Thaivisa and from our web blog .
Keep both prints in my bike.
In case of any problems with the gendarmerie if they want to extract money from a retired farang.
Who meets all requirements including wearing a helmet.
Then, as a last resort, I press the two copies into their hands.
I think they will understand that some farangs are also aware of the corruption in the Thai elite corps in brown tight uniform.
Thank you they say then, and are happy to have lost you.
For the time being the police force in Thailand has finished for me , hoping for better times and returning authority and to be able to radiate some form of discipline to the Thai population .
Jan Beute