Thread: Japanese store owner says dozens of cops extorted money and stole his property

Japanese store owner says dozens of cops extorted money and stole his property
TEA MONEY

An investigation is underway in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi after a Japanese second hand goods trader went to police to claim he was extorted by men in uniform.
The Region 1 police chief has admitted that those involved are state officials. Suwat Jaengyortsuk has ordered that those involved – both men and women – be suspended from duty immediately pending an investigation.
The officials are from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CCPD) and the Economic Crime suppression Division (ECD) of the Royal Thai Police. These officials usually conduct raids concerning pirated goods.
The Japanese businessman and his Thai staff said that the shop was visited several times from August to November.
In August 15,000 baht was handed over to a group of officials. This was repeated in October.
On Monday around half a dozen officials arrived without a warrant and started helping themselves to goods on the shelves such as robotics, bowls, bags and clothes. They claimed they had no labels and must be taken into evidence.
Thai staff were threatened with arrest.

When the Thai staff asked what they could do to avoid trouble they were taken into a vehicle and after 30,000 baht was handed over they were released. But the officials kept some of the merchandise.
Within hours another group of 6 men and women arrived and the process was repeated with a further 30,000 paid – this time they said they would be back every month for a 2,000 baht fee.
This was more than enough for “Yochi” to report the matter to the local police. He said that his operation was all legal and he didn’t understand why officials of the state were acting in this way.
Chief Suwat seems to have understood exactly what was going on – and has ordered an immediate investigation.

Japanese store owner says dozens of cops extorted money and stole his property - Samui Times

A sad indictment on the Thai police and society in general that it's only when the extortioners are overly greedy that they get reported.
Lesson learned, and the corrupt cops will now restrain themselves to modest amounts of backsheesh, or will the public and high authorities start to really resist this corruption?
I suspect the former.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Lesson learned, and the corrupt cops will now restrain themselves to modest amounts of backsheesh, or will the public and high authorities start to really resist this corruption?

Wow...are you being sarcastic?

They've been reported because a foreigner is unrealistic about how this will play out, and the cops will most likely change their m.o. not one jot.

^ not sarcastic at all. The foreigner is legit and the Consumer Protection cops have been caught, but only after they got too greedy.
They will go down.
My comment was about in the long run will the corrupt cops modify their behviour or will the public be emboldened.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

will the corrupt cops modify their behviour or will the public be emboldened

...or...will the complainers be found floating in a klong or crumpled in a parking lot after a suicidal leap?

I bet my bottom dollar that the Jap will not die.

...that's an odd place to keep your cash: safe enough, I suppose...

Originally Posted by Maanaam

^ not sarcastic at all. The foreigner is legit and the Consumer Protection cops have been caught, but only after they got too greedy.
They will go down.
My comment was about in the long run will the corrupt cops modify their behviour or will the public be emboldened.

No but they might get transferred, and therefore go and fuck up someone else's business.

Originally Posted by Maanaam

I bet my bottom dollar that the Jap will not die.

Probably not. Once a corrupt unit hits the headlines and is under the public gaze while being investigated, it makes sense for them not to up the ante by offing their victims.

Might get away with a bit of up front insolence under a civilian gov, but there is no special place in the heart of our current batch of military looters for the RTP.