Thai police officer pockets 30,000 baht from a mediation case

Police General Kittirat Panpetch, acting commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, ordered an investigation into a precinct officer accused of embezzling funds from a mediation case.

A 34 year old woman reported to the Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page that the officer from Samrong Tai Police Station pocketed 30,000 baht. The funds were part of a debt settlement where the debtor, under police supervision, paid in instalments.

Each instalment was supposed to be returned to the creditor, with the officer receiving a 10% commission. However, the officer allegedly kept the entire sum.

The woman, frustrated and unable to contact the officer, sought help from advocacy groups to reclaim her money.

Yesterday, October 6, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Kittirat addressed the issue, stating that he had instructed Police Major General Wichit Boonchinwutikul, commander of Samut Prakan Provincial Police, to conduct a thorough investigation.

If the allegations hold, the officer will face severe disciplinary actions, criminal charges and time in jail without any leniency. Kittirat emphasised the importance of setting a strong example to maintain public trust in the police force, reported KhaoSod.

The incident has also highlighted the role of advocacy groups in bringing attention to issues of corruption and helping victims seek justice. These groups play a crucial role in holding corrupt officials accountable and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard.

In other news, a Thai app-based taxi rider physically assaulted a police officer and damaged his car, claiming the cop was responsible for an earlier road accident in Bangkok.

The footage of the physical assault on 30 year old Police Corporal Wirodom Najaiboon, from the Protection and Crowd Control Division, went viral on Thai social media and was shared by many news outlets. The app-based rider, later identified as 28 year old Sahaphap, was the man in the dark blue shirt and jeans.