Thai police officers reassigned over Chinese volunteer training probe
Two high-ranking Thai police officers have been reassigned to inactive roles following their involvement in a contentious volunteer police training programme aimed at Chinese nationals. The programme, which charged each participant 38,000 baht (US$1,100), has come under scrutiny, prompting the transfer of the officers to the operations centre of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) as investigations continue.
The officers involved are identified as Niwet Ngamlap, head of the investigation sub-division of Metropolitan Police Division 3, and his deputy, Kriangsak Chuaiwong. Initial findings by the Bureau indicated that both officers were invited to deliver speeches during the training sessions. However, further investigation is underway to ascertain if they received any compensation for their involvement.
“They will face both criminal and disciplinary action if they are found to have benefited financially,” stated Sayam Boonsom, the MPB commissioner.
The programme’s existence was unveiled by online commentators, who alleged that it was organised by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Metropolitan Police Division 3, and a privately operated university, which also issued ID cards with the police emblem. People’s Party MP Sasinan Thamnithinan subsequently questioned the Royal Thai Police‘s rationale for training Chinese nationals as police volunteers and charging them a significant fee.
The MPB has since called in university lecturers for questioning. However, Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, president of Siam University, clarified that the university was actively investigating the situation rather than merely observing.
Vethit Thongchantr, deputy director of the university’s Public Relations Office, confirmed yesterday, January 7, that he had reviewed a letter allegedly sent to invite police officers to the programme. He asserted that the university did not issue the letter and mentioned a phone discussion with Pornchai, who is currently abroad.
According to Pornchai, the university’s Office of the President did not authorise the letter. He speculated that an individual lecturer might have organised the training, as only about 30 participants attended, reported Bangkok Post.
He assured that the university plans to conduct a more thorough investigation once the academic term resumes next week after the break.
