NCPO chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has demanded a fair and forthright probe into allegations of extortion against an army general.
It was the first time Gen Prayuth has responded publicly to the case against Maj Gen Jennarong “Seh James” Dechawan and four alleged accomplices accused of demanding bribes from street vendors in Patpong.
The men were arrested at the Tawanna Hotel on Wednesday while allegedly in the act of receiving money from vendors.
Gen Prayuth wants the investigation to be done in a “straightforward manner and in accordance with the facts”, NCPO deputy chief Gen Udomdet Sitabutr said yesterday.
It comes as the Crime Suppression Division confirmed it will file charges by Tuesday against the suspects.
It was reported earlier that the men had already been charged, but CSD deputy chief Prasobchoke Prommoon said yesterday that investigators were still finalising the charges.
About 10 vendors were called in to give information to police yesterday, he said, adding that the five suspects will face jail terms of up to five years and/or fines of up to 10,000 baht if found guilty.
They will be asked to surrender themselves at Bangkok South Criminal Court on Monday or Tuesday, he added.
Maj Gen Jennarong, a 55-year-old expert from the office of the permanent secretary for defence, is accused of colluding with four civilians to demand bribes from street vendors at Patpong on tourist-crowded Silom road.
The alleged extortion racket also reportedly involved officers from a nearby police station who take a slice of the money.
Acting national police chief Watcharapol Prasarnratchakij stressed that this was still unconfirmed, warning people not to jump to conclusions.
“We’ve not yet called accused officers or their superiors for talks,” Pol Gen Watcharapol said yesterday, adding that he wants to first see the results of an investigation into the matter.