The Provincial Police Region 2 has been given 30 days to probe six Chon Buri policemen who allegedly tried to frame a karaoke bar owner with false charges of being involved in the sex trade and human trafficking.
The saga also roped in the national police chief, who came to the victim's aid.
Deputy police spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said the six officers -- including Pol Lt Col Narawut Karamahito, investigating inspector, and Pol Lt Jatuphum Limsiriwattanakul attached to the Inquiry Division of Provincial Police Region 2 -- have been transferred to inactive posts at the Police Region Bureau pending an investigation for disciplinary violations.
Early this week, the two officers, together with four subordinates, were summoned to answer charges at Muang Pattaya station. The charges include false imprisonment, malfeasance causing injury and attempted extortion, said Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch, of Muang Pattaya police.
The bureau has 30 days in which to wrap up the investigation into the six. Muang Pattaya police said the case would also be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for investigation regarding corruption charges.
The move came after Paranisa Chainapanichkul, 36, the owner of Nangfa karaoke bar in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, filed a complaint against the six for illegally detaining her and her employees, attempting to extort money from her and misconduct.
According to Ms Paranisa, on July 14, a man came into her bar and offered 2,000 baht to a waitress, asking her to say she was selling sex to him. However, the waitress refused. The man then tried the same thing with another waitress, but this time he put the money in her hand.
Then, a group of five men, including Pol Lt Col Narawut and Pol Lt Jatuphum, stormed into the bar.
Pol Lt Jatuphum used his mobile phone to take a photo of the waitress holding the money and forced her to phone Ms Paranisa and tell her to come to the bar.
When Ms Paranisa arrived, Pol Lt Col Narawut allegedly accused her of being involved in prostitution and human trafficking and claimed the police had evidence, referring to the photo of the waitress.
Ms Paranisa said she called a close relative who knows national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda to seek help. Pol Gen Chakthip later called her mobile phone and she told him his subordinates were making false accusations.
The police chief asked her to hand the phone over to the officers who refused to take the call.
She said the officers did not believe she was speaking to the police chief, saying if he was the real police chief he would be able to call their boss, Pol Maj Gen Ampon Buarupporn, commander of Chon Buri provincial police.
Pol Lt Col Narawut then asked his subordinates to handcuff her and her workers and put them them in a van. Once inside the van, the police allegedly demanded a bribe of 30,000 baht from her in exchange for their freedom, Ms Paranisa told investigators.
While in the van, Pol Maj Gen Ampon telephoned Ms Paranisa, but the group did not believe it was really Pol Maj Gen Ampon who had called either.
The commander of Chon Buri provincial police then phoned Pol Lt Col Narawut.
At that point the group understood it was the actual provincial police chief who had been speaking to her. The complaint alleges they then freed Ms Paranisa and her colleagues before driving away.
On Wednesday, Pol Col Krissana said the national police chief answers every call to his mobile phone, if he is not in a meeting. The deputy spokesman added the inquiry into the six officers would be fair to all sides.