Huai Kwang police station chief transferred over extortion claims

NATIONAL Police Chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat today (Jan. 30) ordered the transfer of Huai Kwang police station superintendent to assist with civil service duties after evidence emerged that policemen manning a checkpoint on Jan. 4 had extorted money from a Taiwanese actress and her friends to set them free, Thai Rath newspaper said.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Archayon Kraithong, the police spokesman, said Metropolitan Police was ordered to set up a serious disciplinary committee and start criminal proceedings against all policemen involved in taking 27,000 baht payoff for their release.

 Pol. Gen. Damrongsak also emphasised that all Metropolitan Police officers who set up checkpoints should perform their duties transparently according to regulations and guidelines and not themselves break the law and take bribes.

Meanwhile former MP Chuwit Kamolvisit apologised to Taiwanese actress An Yu-Qing, whose English name is Charlene An, on behalf of Thai people as some Thai policemen had shaken her and her friends down for 27,000 baht and charged her with possessing E-cigarettes, TV Channel 7 said.

He mentioned that this case has damaged Thailand’s reputation and where E-cigarettes are concerned, these are commonly smoked in Sukhumvit area by foreign tourists who too are extorted. However according him police deny this and ignore any evidence.

The big issue is the bribe being paid not E-cigarettes with the evidence being in the clip from the camera strapped to the policeman’s hat, he added.

CAPTIONS:

Top: National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat with an image of the transferred Huai Kwang station chief inset. Photo: Thai Rath

Insert: MP Chuwit Kamolvisit. Photo: Matichon

Front Page: Taiwanese actress Charlene An who claims paying off Thai police to be set free. Photo: Thai Rath

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