First cop to be charged with trafficking suspended from force

PHUKET: Sgt Maj Weerayuth Feuangfu, the Phang Nga policeman believed to be the first Royal Thai Police officer charged with human trafficking (story here), was indefinitely suspended from active duty last week.

“He was suspended from the Royal Thai Police last week pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” Phang Nga Provincial Police Commander Chalit Kaewyarat told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

The “ongoing investigation” is being carried out by a task force of selected officers from the Phang Nga Provincial Police who will determine whether or not Sgt Weerayuth should be dismissed, and, if so, with or without pension, Maj Gen Chalit explained.

The investigation into Sgt Weerayuth’s status as a Royal Thai Police officer stems from his alleged involvement in the case of a Rohingya woman who asserts she was repeatedly raped after she left a shelter for refugees in Phang Nga on May 27 (story here).

Sgt Weerayuth is alleged to be the man who picked up the victim and four other Rohingya at the shelter.

The man charged with rape, Korlimula Ramahatu, is a former employee of Sgt Weerayuth (story here).

In addition to human trafficking charges, Sgt Weerayuth has been charged with deprivation of liberty by carrying out abduction through deceit, Gen Chalit explained today.

Col Weerasil Kwanseng, Superintendent of Kuraburi District Police, whose officers placed Sgt Weerayuth under arrest, previously confirmed that, by law: “Because he is a police officer, his punishment will be double [that of a ‘civilian’] f he is found guilty.”

— Chutharat Plerin