Pattaya police under fire for letting foreign sex offenders flee Thailand
Three police officers are now in hot water for their alleged involvement in the escape of two foreign suspects accused of engaging in illicit activities with underage girls in Pattaya. The escapade involves a German and an American who, after arrests, managed to slip away under questionable circumstances.
The controversy traces back to a case in September last year when a German tourist was nabbed for suspected involvement in underage sex. A subsequent documentary by Deutsche Welle raised serious questions about a 1 million baht bribe allegedly paid by the tourist to the Thai police to secure his release. The shocking revelation brought the negligence of the Pattaya police under the spotlight.
Deputy National Police Chief, Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, disclosed that a former chief of Pattaya Police Station, a deputy station chief, and the lead investigator would face disciplinary action for failing to adhere to protocols after the arrests of the foreign suspects.
The first aspect under scrutiny involves the bribery allegation. Big Joke revealed that a preliminary investigation suggests the German suspect paid his lawyer 1 million baht. However, the lawyer claims it was not a bribe but meant for court expenses and bail collateral.
The second part relates to the disciplinary investigation, revealing that the lead investigator failed to follow crucial regulations. These lapses allowed the suspects to escape charges. The officer neglected to inform the Foreign Division of the Royal Thai Police and the Immigration Bureau about the arrests, and crucial steps for handling foreign suspects, reported The Nation.
Big Joke holds the Pattaya police chief from September last year and a deputy station chief accountable for supervision failures. Their negligence contributed to the suspects evading justice, tarnishing the reputation of Thai law enforcement.
Investigations in progress
The German suspect exploited a court-granted permission to leave the kingdom for business reasons, never to return, while the American fled across the border. Investigations are underway to determine whether any police officer received bribes from the suspects.
In a bid for justice, Big Joke sought the help of the German Embassy in arranging a teleconference interrogation with the German suspect. The proceedings are scheduled for Friday, December 8.
Noting the gravity of the situation, Big Joke instructed Pattaya police to urgently seek red arrest warrants from Interpol. These warrants will be dispatched to Germany and the US, with hopes that they would prompt legal action against the suspects, especially in Germany.
