Warrants for top cop, driver in debt-collecting racket
TWO ARREST warrants have been issued for a senior policeman and a civilian who were allegedly part of a debt-collecting racket that authorities say was run by former crime-buster Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan.
Lt-Colonel Songrak Khunsri, who has been charged with criminal conspiracy and money-laundering, is also on the verge of being discharged from police after he nears a 15-day absence without permission, acting Crime Suppression Division (CSD) commander Pol Colonel Akkharadej Phimolsri said.
The other suspect was identified as Songphol Thongsin, a chauffeur of Pol Maj-General Kowit Wongrungroj, a deputy chief under Pongpat at the Central Investiga-tion Bureau.
Songphol has also been charged with money-laundering.
Songrak, a deputy chief of the CSD’s Subdivision 6, was a close aide of Pongpat and known for his good record in solving high-profile crimes, including the arrest of weapons trader Victor Bout.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minis-try issued a statement yesterday about a sum of money being granted to Thanphuying Srisasm Suwadi.
The request was made by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to the Crown Property Bureau, which later complied with it, the statement said.
Finance Minister Sommai Phasi, as chairman of the Bureau’s board of directors, asked in the statement for cooperation from the media not to publicise copies of government matters deemed inappropriate for publication in regard to the matter.
