The Special Branch Bureau (SBB) will set up a committee to investigate a police corporal for torturing and abusing her maid, who had served as a military officer for almost two years, according to the police force's deputy spokesman.
Royal Thai Police (RTP) deputy spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said yesterday the Ratchaburi provincial police had accepted the case of a 30-year-old who claimed to have been physically abused by her employer, a police officer.
Pol Col Krissana said officers had taken the alleged victim to hospital for a physical exam and questioned her in a bid to collect further evidence. However, no charges have been filed yet.
The suspect was identified as Pol Cpl Kornsasi Buayaem, who falls under Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4. The victim said Pol Cpl Kornsasi claimed she was the wife of a senator.
SBB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomchit said the bureau is setting up a committee to investigate. They will also summon Pol Cpl Kornsasi and inform her of the accusations.
The case was first revealed in the Hone Krasae programme on TV Channel 3 on Thursday when the victim claimed Pol Cpl Kornsasi had burned her skin using a hair curler and smacked her with a metal stick, causing nose and head injuries. She also said her employer once sprayed alcohol on her hair and set it on fire.
Not only was the woman abused but she also had to give hundreds of thousands of baht to her employer, she claimed.
Pol Maj Gen Piti Nareukhatpichai, commander of Ratchaburi Provincial Police, said the physical examination should be telling.
"According to the initial questioning, the actions against the victim could be considered physical abuse, resulting in physical and emotional damage," said Pol Maj Gen Piti.
"However, if the doctors confirm that the woman's injuries are more severe, officers will have to press further charges," he added.
He said officers were looking for the tools and equipment used in the alleged crimes. They will also use videos filmed by the victim while she was being abused as evidence.
The alleged perpetrator could have violated both the criminal code and the human trafficking law, he said.
Pol Cpl Kornsasi has not reached out to police yet, according to Pol Maj Gen Piti.