CHUMPHON — All top police officers at Ban Wisai Nua station on Tuesday paid the price for dragging their feet on an investigation into alleged bribes.
Pol Lt Gen Thesa Siriwatho, commander of Provincial Police Region 8, signed an order dated Monday to move five officers to inactive posts at the regional headquarters in Surat Thani's Phunpin district for 30 days starting Tuesday.
On the transfer list were station chief Pol Col Sakhu Junchamras and four subordinates, according to the order seen by the Bangkok Post. They were Pol Lt Col Supoj Samran, Pol Lt Col Weerasak Somthong, Pol Lt Col Chaiwat Ubon and Pol Capt Chatchai Moonrak.
The Ban Wisai Nua police station. (Chumphon Police photo)
A police source pointed to the delay in an investigation into possible bribery involving police following a check on foreign workers at S&D Marine Products in Muang district on Dec 2.
Navy sailors and provincial labour officials inspected the firm, interrogated workers and found documents showing that 100 baht had to be deducted from each migrant labourer's wages for police in the area.
The Royal Thai Navy forwarded the case to the national police chief for investigation, but there was no progress, the source added.
Pol Maj Gen Narin Bussayawit, chief of the Chumphon police force, was assigned to set up a team of investigators to question foreign workers and wrap up the case in 20 days, according to the order.
The factory is in an area under the responsibility of Ban Wisai Nua police station. The station has removed the pictures of all five officers from its board after the transfer order.