National—
On January 29th, 2024, Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, the Central Investigation Bureau Deputy Commissioner, publicly revealed the case progress on Srisuwan Janya and others who allegedly extorted the Director-General of the Rice Department.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat stated to the public that the investigation and collection of evidence had made great progress, especially the testimony of the Director-General of the Rice Department, which was very helpful in the case.
However, other relevant evidence indicated the scheme could be clearly stated as being well-planned in stages. The police believed that there were so-called big fish behind the scheme, according to Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat.
“The authorities would summon involved individuals for interrogation and it was reported that other agencies were being extorted money of more than 100 million baht. However, the financial transaction was not made. Meanwhile, the police were currently negotiating with the victims to testify regarding the case and gathering evidence,” Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat.
“The suspects committed offenses without being afraid of laws, some of them had more than 10 mansions and 100 rai of land by allegedly harassing and extorting from the victims. The authorities pledged to investigate further to hold them accountable for their crimes,” remarked Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat.
The suspects, at least some of them like Srisuwan Janya, have claimed they are innocent and were being set up, notes TPN.
