Arrest of Investigative Police Officer in Khok Samrong for Extorting 100,000 Baht in Exchange for Case Dismissal
จากไชต์: Office of The National Anti - Corruption Commission (ONACC)
จำนวนผู้เข้าชม: 174
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has collaborated with the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to arrest Police Lieutenant Colonel Nattapol Pongsawat, an investigative officer at Khok Samrong Police Station, on the charge of extorting 100,000 Baht from a victim, promising in return that the victim would not face legal prosecution.
---------------------------------------------
Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Sornchai Chuwichien, Assistant Secretary-General of NACC, and Pichet Pattanakitchamroon, Director of the Office of Investigations and Special Affairs, have authorized a joint task force consisting of their respective offices and the Anti-Corruption Division of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to apprehend Police Lieutenant Colonel Nattapol Pongsawat. Previously, Nattapol had already received an initial amount of 50,000 Baht from the victim, scheduling the handover of the remaining 50,000 Baht for September 20th, 2023. This was in exchange for ensuring that the victim would not become a defendant and would not have to appear in court.
Upon the arrival of the designated time, officers verified the 50,000 Baht, which was documented, and gave it to the victim to await the handover to Lieutenant Colonel Nattapol. Once the transaction was complete, officers from the joint task force identified themselves and conducted a search, finding 50,000 Baht in the officer's pocket. The serial numbers on the banknotes matched those of the bills the victim had previously given and had been documented. The cash was seized as evidence.
Subsequently, Lieutenant Colonel Nattapol was taken into custody and booked at Khok Samrong Police Station, where he was charged with misconduct or neglect of duty under Article 171 of the Anti-Corruption Act. Legal proceedings will continue in accordance with the law.
In cases where state officials, particularly senior police officers, commit crimes and are arrested and prosecuted, such events have occurred repeatedly. This case serves as yet another case study where state officials are found guilty under the 2018 Anti-Corruption Act, Section 171. This section states that any state official who acts or fails to act improperly in their duties, using their position to seek undue benefits for themselves or others, shall be punishable by imprisonment for one to ten years or a fine of two thousand to twenty thousand Baht, or both. All of which must undergo the legal investigative process through the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct for further legal proceedings.
Related
