Policewoman arrested for role in kidnapping of Indonesian man

Police arrested a policewoman on May 19 for her alleged involvement in the kidnapping and ransom of an Indonesian man in the southern province of Phatthalung on May 11.

The 29 year old Indonesian victim, Syawana, was rescued from a house in Phatthalung province on May 15 by officers from the Mueang Phatthalung Police Station after he was kidnapped and assaulted by three Thai men on May 11.

The Thai suspects demanded 2.3 million baht from Syawana’s family, and 800,000 baht was already transferred to the gang before the rescue operation. All three suspects were arrested at the scene and identified as Rusawan, Saidee, and Weerasak.

Police suspected them of having a close relationship with a major prisoner who escaped from jail in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chaowalit “Paeng” Thongduang, as the house where Syawana was held belonged to Paeng’s wife.

During interrogation, Weerasak alleged that a policewoman was involved in the crime, claiming she kidnapped Syawana and took him to the house before asking Weerasak and the other two suspects to extort money from him.

After reviewing security footage, officers identified the policewoman as 45 year old Police Senior Sergeant Major Ploenpit. She was arrested yesterday, May 19, in Surat Thani province. Ploenpit denied all allegations and refused to cooperate with officers.

The police officer insisted on fighting for justice in court. The court denied Ploenpit’s bail request and she is temporarily imprisoned pending further court hearings or police questioning.

Superintendent of the Mueang Phatthalung Police Station, Jumphon Liamkaew, stated that the investigation would be thorough and meticulous due to the sensitive nature of the case, which could affect Thailand’s relationship with Indonesia.

ORIGINAL STORY: 3 Thai men arrested for kidnapping Indonesian man for ransom

Police arrested three Thai men for kidnapping an Indonesian man, detaining him in a residence in the southern province of Phatthalung, and demanding a ransom of 2.3 million baht from the victim’s family.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia sought assistance from officers of Mueang Phatthalung Police Station after receiving a report about the kidnapping of a 29 year old Indonesian man named Syawana. He was abducted on May 11 when he was in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla province and taken to a house in Phatthalung.

The three Thai men recorded videos of themselves physically assaulting Syawana and sent the recordings to his sister, demanding 2.3 million baht for Syawana’s release.

Syawana pretended to agree to their demands and requested to use his phone to transfer the money. He sent 800,000 baht to the group and secretly sent his location to his sister.

Police raided the accommodation and successfully rescued the Indonesian man today, May 15. The three suspects, identified as Rusawan, Saidee, and Weerasak, were arrested at the scene. A 9mm pistol and handcuffs were also seized.

The suspects and the victim are currently being questioned by Thai police. Officers have not yet released further details about the case.

Channel 7 reported that the house where Syawana was held belonged to the wife of a major prisoner who escaped from jail in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chaowalit “Paeng” Thongduang, known as Sia Paeng Nanode. The three suspects are suspected to have close ties to Chaowalit.

Chaowalit was imprisoned for attempting to murder a police officer in Phatthalung in 2019. He escaped while receiving treatment at Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital on October 22, and remains at large.

While Channel 3 reported that Syawana was the only Indonesian kidnapped, Matichon stated that two other Indonesian men were also abducted at the same time.

Further details on the case will be released by the police.