National —
Chonburi Police Chief Pol Maj Gen Khamphon Leelaprapaporn, along with nine other police officers, have been charged with alleged extortion amounting to 140 million baht from online gambling suspects at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club.
Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn confirmed the charges.
The complaint was lodged by online gambling suspects at the Khu Khot police station, who accused ten police officers and three civilians of attempting to extort 140 million baht from them. Investigators have pressed three charges against eight officers, including the Chonburi police chief, for malfeasance, demanding or receiving bribes, and extorting another person. Two cyber policemen have also been charged with malfeasance and extortion.
According to Pol Gen Surachet, more than half of the ten police officers involved have confessed to wrongdoing. However, the two cyber police officers denied the charges, alleging that the online gambling operators falsely accused them while claiming that they were unaware of the alleged extortion.
Pol Gen Surachet added that among the three civilians involved, Phisit “Ton” Nakhisornpanee and Veera “Boy” Nasap fled abroad, while the whereabouts of the third individual remain unknown.
Veera has expressed his intention to surrender himself to the police, although the date and time have not yet been confirmed. The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) said it is now tracking Veera’s financial transactions and is in the process of seizing his assets, which are estimated to be worth at least one billion baht.
Source: NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand