Two Bangkok police captains investigated in bribery scandal
TWO BANGKOK police captains are facing investigations over allegations that they were involved in the purchase of a police inspector’s position, acting Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-General Sanit Mahathaworn said yesterday.
Anyone convicted of taking bribes could face five years in prison and a Bt10,000 fine, while the buyer of a position could face disciplinary punishment and possibly a jail term of five years and a Bt10,000 fine, he said.
Nimit Mai traffic police deputy inspector Captain Chanchai Yensuk filed a complaint at the Bang Seu Police Station on July 5 against Bang Rak crime police deputy inspector Captain Chaninthat Ratchinotrai, Metropolitan Police Division 2 chief Pol Maj-General Charoen Srisasalak said.
Chanchai claimed Chaninthat told him early last month that to secure an inspector’s position, he would have to give Chaninthat Bt700,000 so he could purchase expensive gifts for senior police officers. However, despite allegedly giving the cash to Chaninthat at a petrol station on Vibhavadi Road, he did not get the position as promised, Chanchai said.
Charoen said Chaninthat had reportedly confessed to duping Chanchai to get cash, but then tried to return it after learning about the complaint.
While Bang Sue Police Station will proceed with a criminal action, both officers’ supervisors (at Metropolitan Police Division 6 for Chaninthat and Metropolitan Police Division 3 for Chanchai) will deal with the disciplinary punishment process, Charoen said.
Chanchai will initially be considered the damaged party, and police will further investigate to determine if senior officers are involved, Charoen added.
