Who needs tea money when instead you can operate a scam?

[Gaybutton]

But I was just a participant, not the mastermind. Now there's a great excuse. At least he has the right name - Col. Bandit.

I'll be waiting to see if he is heavily fined and put in jail or just transferred to another position.

"the authorities are working to confirm no other officers are implicated in this fraudulent activity." - I'll be amazed if none are.
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Hang Dong Police in Chiang Mai Arrested Over Allegations of Running Call Center Scam

By Goongnang Suksawat

22 July, 2024

A senior police officer at the Hang Dong police station in Chiang Mai province has been arrested over allegations of running a call center scam. According to reports, Pol Lt Col Bandit Khonkan was apprehended during an ordination ceremony at a temple in Lampang’s Ngao district and subsequently taken to Chiang Mai after being disrobed.

The arrest followed the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court, charging the officer in question with unauthorized use of telecommunications equipment and operating a telecom business without the requisite permissions. Pol Lt Col Bandit, who claims to be just a participant with Chinese partners and not the mastermind, was arrested alongside his daughter and three others during police raids at several housing projects.

The raids resulted in the seizure of approximately 12 GSM gateways—devices that convert cellular signals into domestic phone numbers, misleading victims into believing they were communicating with Thai government agencies. The investigation uncovered that the scam, orchestrated from Myanmar opposite Chiang Rai, involved over 3.6 million fraudulent calls.

The ongoing investigation seeks to dismantle the broader network of conspirators, including Thai and Chinese suspects. Decisions regarding Pol Lt Col Bandit’s future in the police force are pending, as the authorities are working to confirm no other officers are implicated in this fraudulent activity.

https://tpnnational.com/2024/07/22/hang ... nter-scam/

[Gaybutton]

Here is the latest report involving a police officer. Most Thai police officers are perfectly honest and dedicated to their jobs. Unfortunately the barrel does contain its share of rotten apples.
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Police Officer Arrested for Alleged Extortion of Chinese Nationals on Route to Pattaya

By Aim Tanakorn

23 July, 2024

A police officer has been arrested after allegedly extorting 700,000 baht from a group of Chinese nationals driving to Pattaya earlier last week.

On July 19th, 2024, Chonburi Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Thirachai Chamnanmor, along with the Region 2 Police and Pattaya Police managed to locate the Chinese victims, who were initially hesitant to come forward after allegedly being extorted by a group of men posing as police on a highway heading to Pattaya.

The two victims, identified as Mr. Jin Chui, 43, and Mr. Chen Wei, 44, were found hiding in a condominium in Jomtien, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chonburi province. In a surprising twist, the two men were not tourists but were reportedly wanted in China for gambling-related offenses, and had illegally entered Thailand from Laos in December 2023, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thirachai said.

Mr. Chui and Mr. Wei crossed the Mekong River into Chiang Rai province and subsequently made their way to Pattaya. The reason they did not file a police complaint regarding the extortion was likely due to their fear of arrest, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thirachai noted.

The Banglamung Police initially detained the two men for illegal entry. During their interrogation, the victims also described their extortion ordeal, leading to the arrest of Pol Sgt Thitiwat Rujirawong. He faces charges of abuse of power, coercion, and illegal detention. The arrest warrant was issued around 10:45 AM on July 23rd by the Pattaya Provincial Court, and Pol Sgt Thitiwat was apprehended outside the Division 2 police headquarters in Bang Pla Soi, Mueang district, Chonburi. He has denied all allegations as of press time.

Additionally, reports suggest that four more suspects are set to be arrested, including one more police officer from the Crime Suppression Division and three civilians. Details about these individuals have yet to be disclosed.

Story and photos: https://thepattayanews.com/2024/07/23/u ... o-pattaya/

[Dodger]

The arrest warrant was issued around 10:45 AM on July 23rd by the Pattaya Provincial Court, and Pol Sgt Thitiwat was apprehended outside the Division 2 police headquarters in Bang Pla Soi, Mueang district, Chonburi.

I hate to start the day by sounding so negative - but I have to wonder where this guy will be assigned to work next after they transfer him for his punishment like they always do.

[Gaybutton]

I hate to start the day by sounding so negative

Nothing negative about it since we've seen exactly that so many times over the years. If it is not a transfer, the alternate punishment, if there is punishment at all, is not always followed-up and reported.

What I wonder about is even when a lengthy prison sentence is imposed, how long does the prisoner actually serve and then get released?

[Jun]

What I wonder about is even when a lengthy prison sentence is imposed, how long does the prisoner actually serve and then get released?

If they were serious about corruption by police & other officials, they would have an independent body investigating them.
Followed by the severest possible punishment. Including life in prison or execution.

After all, people in the police are supposed to be enforcing the law, rather than behaving like mafia. So reset expectations.