'Cop extortion' video clip goes viral

[ICEMAN]

'Cop extortion' video clip goes viral
Published: 23/08/2012 at 05:37 PM
Online news: Local News
 
 
 
BURI RAM - A video clip showing a group of men who claimed to be police and copyright officers confronting an internet shop owner and his mother has gone viral and drawn criticism from many Thai netizens who say the law enforcers were abusing their authority.

The 12-minute video clip was uploaded to YouTube by username, SuperVit1234, on Aug 19, 2012.

The uploader, who identified himself as 30-year-old internet shop owner Virun Kasemrak, said a group of men who claimed to be police and copyright officers raided his shop but did not find any copyright infringement.

According to Mr Virun, a quarrel erupted between his family and the "law enforcement officers" when one of the men surreptitiously slipped a pornographic CD into a computer in the shop and then slapped him with charges.

Mr Virun said the group of men threatened to seize all the computers in his shop if he refused to pay them 50,000 to 70,000 baht and that he would have to pay a fine of 200,000 baht if he continued to fight.

The quarrel intensified after the shop owner demanded the men show their warrants and identification cards.

At four minutes 10 seconds into the video clip, one of the men shoved the owner's mother into the shop.

Police were investigating, reports said.

The video clip is below.



http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/309001/cop-bribing-clip-goes-viral

[urleft]

Yes this clip is making the rounds and a lot of Internet shops are getting ready.

[TBWG]

 Spotted a Buriram United tea shirt during clip ~~~~~ not sure if it was on a good guy or a bad guy!


TBWG

[John the Traveller]

Yes, looks like a "shakedown".....most concerning to me is the guy in the blue shirt with no ID pendant putting his hand in his shoulder bag. It implied there was a weapon in there. His "body English" later showed frustration and a desire to leave. Hopefully he only had his hand on a cigarette lighter or a packet of fags. BIB didn't seem to concerned. Typical! I give a lot of style points to the owner and his Mum for their persistence. Plus big points to the concerned onlookers.
Cheers,
JT

[Alan]

Think your right on it being a shakedown John. Surely the guy would have his gun on display sidearm style if he was police. I know  many Thais carry guns in this fashion but never police as they like it visable for a show of power and authority.
Notice that when he does make this threatening stance nobody looks particularly worried and his expression soon changes to one of a man that realises he may have just failed. 

[gotlost]

This scam has been going on for a few years now in Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket. Just your typical low life mafia types with some local BiB support. Times must getting lean for them to be branching out into the country.