A junior police officer who was unfairly transferred from his post in what is thought to have been an act of punishment by his superior has been reinstated in a surprise twist.
The officer, Police Lance Corporal Ekapol Juisongkaeo, who is based at a police station in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, got into a whole lot of trouble when he asked a motorist to produce his driving licence, without realising he was dealing with a person of "high status".
The incident took place in tambon Tha Yang on May 2. The motorist became extremely agitated at the request, as shown in a video clip.
In a fit of anger, the motorist claimed he was a senior state officer attached to the Justice Ministry's southern region office and also a friend of the police officer's supervisor, Pol Col Chokdee Rakwatanapong, who is head of Thung Yai police station.
It was revealed later that the hot-headed motorist was a chief judge of the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct cases, Region 8, which covers Nakhon Si Thammarat and parts of the southern region.
Shortly afterwards, Pol L/C Ekapol, despite doing his duty, was transferred by his supervisor. There were reports that he was also suspended.
Pol Maj Chokdee initially reprimanded the lower-level officer, whom he said was a newcomer, for "failing to use judgement" in not being able to differentiate "bandits" from decent people.
The senior police officer seemed not to care that refusing to produce a driving licence when asked by an officer on duty is an offence. Refusing to follow police instructions obstructs state authorities' work. But he went on to punish his subordinate.
The case demonstrates abuse of power by higher-ranking police as well as the judge whose main job is to fight misconduct and uphold the law.
The fiasco, which drew a high level of public interest, caused Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step in.
He ordered the reinstatement of Pol L/C Ekapol, and gave the junior officer moral support for performing his duties properly.
The prime minister was quoted as saying that "everyone should do what's right regardless of pressure".
Gen Prayut also urged the Office of the Court of Justice to investigate the matter. Later on, the Royal Thai Police ordered that Pol Col Chokdee be investigated.
This case, which provides a glimpse of the tip of the hierarchical state iceberg, attests to the fact that misuse of connections and abuse of power is real and sometimes downright blatant.
It seems it was purely a matter of luck for Pol L/C Ekapol that the case happened to unfold in his favour with the prime minister fishing the low-level police officer out of trouble.
Now it's the turn of the Office of the Court of Justice as well as the Royal Thai Police to understand that they owe the public a proper explanation.
More importantly, the two agencies should be brave enough to respond constructively to public expectations that those who abuse power must be held accountable for their transgressions.
The case should set an example for other people who believe they should have special privileges if they break the law because of their "high status" in society.