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Patinya Iamtarn

The Nation

Publication Date : 12-02-2013

Two Thai police were detained yesterday for 30 days after they were witnessed by a Nation TV reporter trying to extort ang pao - a gift of money given at Chinese New Year - from a tailor's shop on Sunday in Bangkok's Si Phraya area. Banjong Cheewamongkonkarn of Nation TV wrote on Facebook he was talking to the owner of Bovorn Fashion when the two walked in and asked the owner. "Do you have the gift money?" The officers said they wanted red packets, but the owner tried to say it was a bad time - as Banjong was a journalist. The two told Banjong their boss got more money than them and they were getting cash for their boss. The shop owner, Thanes Khamchum, said it was the first time policemen asked for anything from him, after opening this shop four years ago.

Two Thai police were detained yesterday for 30 days after they were witnessed by a Nation TV reporter trying to extort ang pao - a gift of money given at Chinese New Year - from a tailor's shop on Sunday in Bangkok's Si Phraya area.

"We have to wait for the investigation result from the Metropolitan Police Bureau. So far, they appear to have breached discipline," police chief Adul Saengsingkaew said. "I issued an order earlier, prohibiting police from taking ang pao."

Pol Lt Gen Khamronwit Thoopkrajang, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, said Pol Lt Colonel Phongsak Subindee, Bang Rak station's superintendent on crime suppression was transferred to an inactive post for 30 days, while Pol Snr Sgt Majors Prasarn Koeymunag and Anuchit Muenyuth, who were caught on the shop's security cameras demanding money for Chinese New Year from the owner, were detained for 30 days.

A fact-finding panel has been formed to probe the matter in parallel with the investigation by Bang Rak police.

The footage also showed some other people in the suit shop. Khamronwit said, without proof, that the others were police volunteers.

Banjong Cheewamongkonkarn of Nation TV wrote on Facebook he was talking to the owner of Bovorn Fashion when the two walked in and asked the owner. "Do you have the gift money?"

The officers said they wanted red packets, but the owner tried to say it was a bad time - as Banjong was a journalist. The two told Banjong their boss got more money than them and they were getting cash for their boss.

Adul said the probe would need to finish before deciding if the two should be charged for taking bribes or if superiors were involved.

The shop owner, Thanes Khamchum, said it was the first time policemen asked for anything from him, after opening this shop four years ago.

"If you ask me if I am afraid about the whole thing now becoming public, I am worried. But everything is based on |truth, there is nothing fabricated about it.