Arrest warrants have been issued for nine police, mostly with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), connected to disgraced former central investigation chief Pongpat Chayapan for allegedly receiving bribes from online football gambling services.
The Criminal Court yesterday approved the warrants requested by Phahon Yothin police in Bangkok. They are for the arrest of Pol Col Watcharapol Thongluan, a CSD superintendent; Pol Col Athip Thaennil, a CSD special operations superintendent; Pol Lt Col Pipat Chawengrat, an inspector at the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD); and Pol Maj Chakkrapan Leelananthawong, a CSD inspector.
The other warrants are for Pol Capt Nithipat Kangruambutr, CSD deputy inspector for special operations; Pol Lt Col Wattana Polngandee, a CSD inspector; Pol Col Supat Lim-im, a TCSD superintendent; Pol Maj Apisit Mekprayoon, a CSD inspector for special operations; and Pol Capt Sakarin Kesornthian, a deputy inspector at the Anti-Human Trafficking Division.
They are accused of receiving bribes in connection with the online football gambling network known as Abubakar bin Sulaiman. Former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayapan faces the same charge, along with others filed earlier.
The officers took part in raids on facilities operated by the online network about five years ago and allegedly demanded bribes for the return of confiscated accounts and assets.
Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sriwara Rangsipramnakul said the bureau will ask the units where the nine suspects work so they can send the officers to face the charges. In all, there are now 14 police, including Pol Lt Gen Pongpat, who face charges tied to online football gambling services.