The Chon Buri provincial police chief is among eight senior officers being investigated for allegedly colluding with civilians to extort 140 million baht from six suspects in an online gambling case.
Arrest warrants against the senior police are expected to be issued today, said Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, who was yesterday appointed by National Police Chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas to head a special panel that will look into the suspected officers.
He said investigators would initially press charges of malfeasance by public officials, under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, and demanding or receiving bribes, under Section 149.
The officers were identified as Pol Maj Gen Kamphon Leelaprapaporn, 54, chief of Chon Buri police; Pol Lt Col Narongrit Wasuphan, deputy Chon Buri police chief; Pol Lt Col Sathian Ratchapongthai, deputy superintendent at Nong Kham station in Chon Buri.
The others were Pol Maj Pornthep Phetnuan, investigation chief at Wang Chan station in Rayong; Pol Col Damrongsak Onta, superintendent at the Cyber Investigation Bureau (CCIB); Pol Maj Nakhonrat Nonseelad, an investigator of Nong Kham station; Pol Lt Col Pathomphong Meeyu of CCIB and Pol Capt Somboon Butdalert a deputy commander of Phlu Ta Luang station.
The two civilians were identified as Veera Nasab and Phisit Nakhisornpanee. They are suspected of dealing with online gambling suspects.
Pol Gen Damrongsak has ordered the transfer of the eight police to the Royal Thai Police operations command centre, pending the investigation, said Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, the RTP spokesman.
Pol Maj Gen Kamphon yesterday acknowledged that a complaint had been filed against him by online gambling operators.
However, he said he would clear the matter in a report for the national police chief.
The case was brought to light when six people on Thursday filed a complaint with the Khu Khot police station in Pathum Thani, accusing Pol Maj Gen Kamphon and his team of trying to extort 140 million baht from them.
The six were identified by police as Mr Thaninwat, Mr Setthawut, Mr Apirak, Mr Jakrit, Mr Pattana and Mr Kriangsak.
According to the complaint, a team of Chon Buri police, armed with warrants, arrested them during raids on three locations in Bangkok and Nonthaburi about 1pm on May 23.
After the operation, police took Mr Thaninwat to Kannayao station in Bangkok before he was sent to the the Chon Buri police station to meet Pol Maj Gen Kamphon, the complaint said.
The Chon Buri police chief allegedly offered the six a way out of prosecution, saying: "Pae [Mr Thaninwat's nickname], how much do you love the police commander? Write [the sum of money] down."
Mr Thaninwat was allegedly taken to another room where he met Mr Phisit, a negotiator who demanded 120 million baht in exchange for his freedom.
However, Mr Thaninwat was able to negotiate the amount down to 65 million baht, the complaint said.
Later, Mr Veera allegedly entered the room and told Mr Thaninwat to "Stay cool. Everything is sorted out. Just pay the money."
Mr Thaninwat was released from Bang Lamung on May 24 after paying 65 million baht, but Mr Phisit also demanded 20 million baht for his cut, the complaint said.
The money was reportedly given to Mr Veera and Mr Phisit at two different locations -- behind a housing estate in Khu Khot in Pathum Thani and behind a temple in Mae Suai district of Chiang Rai.
Mr Thaninwat was sent to the Saen Suk station, where Pol Maj Gen Kamphon came to look into his case himself, and was later released that night, the complaint said.
A police source said Pol Gen Surachate is planning to examine security camera recordings from Pol Maj Gen Kamphon's office, the premises police raided on May 23 and where the alleged extortion took place.