2 Thai cops suspended after South Korean livestreams from cell (video)

Two Thai police officers in Chon Buri province are under investigation after a South Korean drug suspect livestreamed himself during his detention, claiming he had special privileges because he paid the officers.

The alleged corruption at Bang Lamung Police Station in Chon Buri was exposed after South Korean news agency Maeil Business Newspaper reported the incident on Tuesday, October 15. The report revealed that the suspect, 44 year old Seo Jungnam, was able to freely livestream from both the police transport truck and inside the cell.

Jungnam is wanted by South Korean authorities after smuggling drugs from Thailand to South Korea in December last year. The drugs were concealed in coffee boxes and bean bags. He fled to Thailand, where he started a YouTube channel, referring to himself as “Thailand’s richest man.”

South Korean officials later coordinated with the Thai Immigration Bureau, leading to Jungnam’s arrest at a hotel in Chon Buri on October 3. He was also found to have overstayed his visa by 373 days. Jungnam was detained at Bang Lamung Police Station while awaiting further legal proceedings.

On October 14, officers were transporting Jungnam to Bangkok in a prison truck. During the journey, he livestreamed himself smoking and chatting with his followers.

“I came all the way to Thailand and was sentenced to prison. Thanks to those who support me so much, I feel more confident.”

Jungnam then showed viewers the scenery outside the truck and joked that he wanted to escape because of the beautiful sea in the province.

In another livestream, while being held with other detainees, Jungnam introduced an inmate.

“This is a kid who stabbed five people.”

Police deny bribery

At one point in the livestream, Jungnam claimed no police officer refused his money, and after paying them, he was free to move around with his phone in hand. He even boasted about being imprisoned in other countries, including the Philippines, and expressed an interest in visiting prisons in Vietnam or China.

The livestreams sparked outrage among Thai netizens, with many demanding an explanation from the authorities. In response, on October 16, Superintendent Naphatpong Kisitsuriyamanee of the Chon Buri Provincial Immigration Office provided a clarification.

Naphatpong explained that while immigration police arrested the South Korean man, they did not have detention facilities, so Jungnam was held at Bang Lamung Police Station instead.

Jungnam will be penalised for overstaying his visa in Thailand before being deported to South Korea. For the overstay, he was fined 3,000 baht, and a deportation order was issued.

Naphatpong also confirmed that the livestream occurred while Jungnam was being transported to a police office in Bangkok. He insisted that officers at Bang Lamung Police Station did not take the bribe and thoroughly searched Jungnam before allowing him to board the prison truck but failed to find the mobile phone.

Naphatpong admitted that the incident was a result of police and confirmed that an investigation into the alleged bribery and misconduct would be conducted.

The two officers responsible for supervising Jungnam on the day are temporarily suspended. If found guilty, they will face appropriate disciplinary action.