Police probe claims of tourist searches

Police probe claims of tourist searches

Police are probing a report by an Australian newspaper that some Bangkok police officers have been extorting bribes from foreigners on Sukhumvit Road, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Office said Tuesday.

Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri was responding to an article published by The Sydney Morning Herald on Dec 12, which said a growing number of foreign tourists are being stopped, searched and harassed by Thai officials on busy Sukhumvit Road.

Similar claims - including those that some foreigners have been subjected to on-the-spot urine tests for drugs -- have become increasingly frequent, with the Bangkok Post having received three letters to the editor about the alleged scams and other media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal highlighting them in the past month.

Mark Kent, British ambassador to Thailand, brought up the subject of the tourist-searches with Ministry of Tourism and Sports officials who claimed there was no organized campaign targeting tourists and that they would investigate claims of random searches.

The Australian newspaper report said officials for months have been stopping foreigners and demanding to see their passports in an attempt to extort brines. The "officials" referred to police officers and city inspectors.

Pol Lt Gen Prawut told ASTV Manager that the RTPO is examining the facts to see if the alleged extortion targeting foreigners occurred and if fake or real policemen were involved. 

He said if the probe found no evidence as claimed the RTPO will submit a written clarification to the Australian embassy in Bangkok. He said the alleged incidents of extortion by Thai authorities in the Australian paper really damaged the image of Thailand.

Pol Maj Gen Apichai Thi-amart, chief of the Tourist Police Division, said he had not been made aware of the incident but ordered an investigation into the matter.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (22)

Kids 'most likely' to suffer climate impact

Children in the northeastern and southern regions of Thailand face the highest risk of climate change, according to a study released yesterday by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef).

08:05

Thai Sang Thai Party reveals strategy for digital economy

The Thai Sang Thai Party proposed its digital economy agenda to steer Thailand's economic recovery, guiding the country out of the middle-income trap and ensuring sustainability.

06:23

Toshiba reassures local customers

Toshiba Thailand is telling customers its business will not be affected by Toshiba Corporation's recent acceptance of a buyout offer.

05:25