SEVENTEEN CITY OFFICERS INVESTIGATED
Cops shifted after casino dens raided
- Published: 1/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
A transfer of 17 senior officers at Huay Kwang and Phlapphla Chai 2 police stations and the Metropolitan Police Divisions 1 and 6 has been ordered after gambling parlours were found operating under their watch.
BUSTED: People are detained after a police crackdown on a gambling parlour in Samphanthawong district on Friday night. The raid led to an abrupt transfer of 17 policemen.
The transfers were prompted by a police raid on a gambling den on Friday evening.
City police raided the den in Samphanthawong district and arrested 228 people and seized gambling chips worth 120 million baht and 500,000 baht in cash.
On Oct 24, city police raided another gambling parlour under the joint jurisdiction of the Huay Kwang and Phlapphla Chai 2 police stations and arrested 14 gamblers.
A police inquiry has begun into whether the officers subject to the transfer orders knew about the den, and took bribes to turn a blind eye.
In the first order by the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), dated Oct 26, Huay Kwang police superintendent Pol Col Anurak Nakphong was transferred to the Royal Thai Police Office for 30 days pending the results of an inquiry.
In the second order, signed on Friday, Pol Col Krailert Buakaew, a deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau 1, Pol Lt Col Khomsan Taengjui, a deputy superintendent of the Huay Kwang police station and Pol Lt Col Wasuthep Khongklom, another deputy superintendent of the Huay Kwang station, have been transferred to the city police headquarters for one month.
Three police inspectors from Huay Kwang police station have also been transferred - Pol Lt Col Sanati Kornkasem, Pol Lt Col Thawatchai Norasing and Pol Maj Phumet Angsuwanakul.
In the third order, dated yesterday, Witthaya Ratanawit, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, Pol Col Uthasin Ritrueangdet, who was Pol Maj Gen Witthaya's deputy, Pol Col Ekkarak Limsangkart, superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Division 6 and his deputy Pol Lt Col Kornkit Khamchu were transferred.
The third transfer also included Pol Col Theeraphong Klaikaew, superintendent of the Phlapphla Chai 2 police station and his deputies, Pol Lt Col Sinlert Sukhum and Pol Lt Col Thanakorn Konkaew.
Three police inspectors at the Phlapphla Chai 2 police station, Pol Lt Col Phasaworn Phrairak, Pol Lt Col Phichit Yothinwatchara and Pol Lt Col Suwit Yonchorhor were also transferred.
The officers subject to the second and third orders will serve at the MPB for 30 days.
MPB commissioner Vorapong Chiewpreecha said he had also replaced a police unit suppressing "immoral" activities in the city.
