Two More Civilians Arrested In Connection With Major Bribery Scam

 

BANGKOK : Two more suspects wanted for bribery and four other charges that eight senior police officers and two civilians are facing have been arrested, Royal Thai Police commissioner spokesman said Monday. 

 

The arrest of the two who are husband and wife, Mr Chob Chinporapa and Mrs Tiyaphan, came after the Criminal Court issued warrants for their arrest on bribery in connection with the eight  accused officers now facing five charges that include lese majeste, demanding bribes, and money laundering.

Six senior police officers who included former commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau Pol Lt-Gen Pongpat Chayaphan and his deputy Pol Maj-Gen Kowit Wongrungroj were dismissed from police services pending disciplinary action investigation, in addition to the five charges.

The spokesman  said  Chob Chinporapa and his wife were under the police custody and were being questioned.

One civilian suspect Mrs Sawong Mungthieng has contacted the police to turn herself in to the police, while another Mr Rerngsak Saknarongdej has escaped. Both were wanted for violating wildlife conservation law and bribery, he said.

Former Crime Suppression Division commander Pol Maj-Gen Chaitat  Boonkam who was earlier transferred to the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre same as the CIB commissioner, however, was still spared from the charges as evidence remained insufficient to implicate him, the spokesman said.

But for another CSD officer Pol Lt-Col Akarawut Limrat who died falling from high ground, the spokesman confirmed the deceased officer also faced  questioning in connection with the charges that eight police officers were accused.

The spokesman said Pol Lt-Col Akarawut gave very useful information to the Investigation team.

However the officer committed suicide later,  may be from stress after he was engaged with the accused officers, the spokesman said.

He said he was told that the officer had tried to commit suicide three times before he jumped to his death.

Earlier circumstances surrounding his death was not explained as death certificate issued by Ratchathevi district office said he died from fractured spine bones after falling from high ground.

Meanwhile Justice Minister Gen Phaiboon Khumchaya said the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Officer (AMLO) were closely monitoring the case as suspects were accused of money laundering.

He said it was not yet discussed if the ministry would request the case to be a special case that will allow the DSI to take over investigation from the police as the suspects were also charged with lese majeste.

However he would seek information from the Royal Thai Police commissioner whether the case should be handled by the DSI or not as it was very complicated.