Truck driver files complaint over alleged 250,000 baht bribe

A truck driver and his wife filed a complaint against a group of men who posed as government officials, demanding a bribe of 250,000 baht after alleging the truck was transporting illegal goods. The incident took place in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, with the couple reporting the matter to local police.

The truck driver, referred to as Kung, and his wife, Pla, arrived at Wang Noi Police Station to report the incident. They alleged that the men, claiming to be from a government administrative department, stopped their ten-wheel truck and caused damage to their property.

The incident began when the couple, who work as truck drivers, were transporting goods from a company in Mukdahan to Bangkok.

In the early hours of yesterday, November 3, at around 4am, the couple was stopped on Phahonyothin Road near a petrol station in Wang Noi. Approximately ten men in two pickup trucks, dressed in black with some wearing vests marked with an administrative department logo demanded they stop.

The men ordered the couple out of their truck, confiscated their mobile phones, and insisted on inspecting the vehicle for illegal goods.

Pla explained that the men used a knife to cut open the parcels they were transporting after removing the tarpaulin. Following the search, the men claimed the goods were illegal, specifically undeclared items. They instructed the couple to wait for another truck before contacting their employer, saying they would handle the communication themselves.

Money swindlers

Once a second truck arrived and was also searched, the men demanded that Pla contact her employer, who was then coerced into negotiating with one of the men. The alleged official managed to secure a payment of 250,000 baht, after which the couple was allowed to continue on their way.

Police Colonel Somjet Maenbutr, head of Wang Noi Police Station, indicated that a thorough investigation is underway. Police are reviewing CCTV footage to determine whether the individuals involved were indeed legitimate government officials.

Should they be, further action will be taken by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Additionally, the investigation aims to uncover any other potential illegal activities connected to the case.

Reports from officials involved in the operation suggest they had been tipped off about the potential smuggling of illegal immigrants and drugs using trucks. Consequently, they were on alert and conducted inspections when they encountered the truck matching the description provided.

However, after searching, they found no illegal items and released the vehicle without any financial demands, reported KhaoSod.