The chief of Chokechai police station in Bangkok and four other officers have been transferred to inactive posts following a commando raid on an illegal gambling den by the Economic Crime Division yesterday.
Pol Col Sretthasak Yimcharoen, and four officers at the station _ Pol Lt Col Theprat Sakulmeerit, Pol Lt Col Kachornpong Jitphakphum, Pol Lt Col Jirawat Yodkrahom and Pol Maj Banthoon Thepsuwan _ have been transferred to the Metropolitan Police Division 4 for 30 days pending an investigation into the raid.
The transfer was ordered by Metropolitan Police Division 4 chief Pol Maj Gen Naiwat Phadermchit.
The transfer order was issued yesterday after 50 commando officers from the Economic Crime Division raided a shophouse building on Sukhonthasawat Road in Lat Phrao district.
A total of 71 suspected gamblers were arrested. About 200,000 baht in cash and football betting tickets worth several hundreds of thousands of baht were seized.
The suspects have been charged with illegal gambling and were taken to the Bangkok North Municipal Court.
According to witnesses in the neighbourhood, the gambling den belongs to an influential figure in the Chokechai Si and Lat Phrao area named Hia Tue and has been open for several months.
On Friday night, Lat Phrao police also raided a gambling den near Happy Land market where 58 gamblers were arrested.
It is believed gambling dens are widespread in the area.