A TEAM of policemen mounted a sting operation to arrest a Tourist Police Bureau officer and his civilian accomplice moments after he took 100,000 baht bribe from an entertainment venue owner in Nonthaburi province last night (July 7), Naewna newspaper said.
A Special Weapons and Tactics Squad (SWAT) team from the Provincial Administration Department together with Bang Yai police station officers roped in the entertainment venue owner to call the extorting policeman to take 100,000 baht payoff.
The duo, who claimed to be from SWAT, refused to take the bribe at the venue and told the owner to hand it over outside. Upon getting the large sum of money they went to the parking lot and tried to escape in a Tourist Police and private sedans.
The police team quickly surrounded and arrested the two of them, later identified as Pol.Snr.Sgt.Maj. Phuwameth (surname withheld), head of a Tourist Police Bureau unit, and Mr. Manas (surname withheld), 46.
Police moved to snare the extortionists after the department had received complaints that men claiming to be from SWAT were demanding bribes from all pubs and bars across Bangkok.
First payment is 5,000 baht and after that 3,000 to 4,000 baht every month with the owners threatened that if they do not pay their venue would be shut down.
This morning Pol, Gen. Wisnu Prasarttong-Osoth, inspector general at the police headquarters, said Police Chief Pol. Gen. Suwat Chaengyodsuk had been informed of this arrest and ordered urgent action against the police officer.
Tourist Police head Pol. Lt. Gen. Sukhun Prommayon has already set up a committee to investigate Pol.Snr.Sgt.Maj.Phuwameth for disciplinary action while also immediately suspending him from duty.
CAPTION:
SWAT and Bang Yai policemen arresting the Tourist Police officer and his accomplice moments after he took a big bribe. Photos: Naewna
Watch Video clip taken by Sorayut Suthatsanachinda, news reporter, below:
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