Police, gambling links uncovered - but no bribes

[Admin]

Police, gambling links uncovered - but no bribes
The Nation 2011-09-09

Senior policemen found involved in operations of illegal gambling dens and casinos in Bangkok will possible have three month salary cuts, while those with lower ranks could face disciplinary detentions, Royal Thai Police inspectorgeneral Pol General Sathaphorn Laothong said yesterday.

An internal investigation into the issue, in which four highranking policemen are allegedly involved already, is scheduled to be complete today (Sept 9). He said additional scrutiny found that there were another 24 officers found possibly behind the operation of a major den located near Rama IX Road.

The first 19 officers questioned are found to have violated disciplinary regulations but not yet committed any criminal offence. "There are no evidence linking to them receiving bribe from den owners available," he added.

The additional 24 officers are with Wang Thongland police station, and the Metropolitan Police Divison 4.

A deputy Bangkok police chief had earlier dismissed his roles behind operations of the dens, saying that he had neither responsibilities in antivice operations nor jurisdictions over Ratchadaphisek areas where one of the dens were uncovered in video clips released last month in the Parliament.

Pol Maj General Worrasak Nopsitthiphorn said he had been tasked with suppression of copyright infringment and with citizen patrol project under the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Meanwhile, electricity and water were yesterday cut off at a onestorey building, located between Soi Ratchadaphisek 14 and 16, said to be one of the dens referred to in the clips. The measures were taken at police's recommendation, but waterworks and electricity agency officials said they were following regulations because merely of suspected illegal activities inside the building.

Police detained a number of men who were guarding the building and are attempting to find out who own it. Initial searches, in which reporters were not allowed in by the guards, found a number of decks of cards inside the building. Pol Maj General Anuchai Lekbamrung, another MPB deputy chief who led to search, said he would probe into the clip issue fairly and justly.

Separately, Raksanti Party leader Purachai Piamsombun called on the government to think twice about "giving the national police chief position to a candidate with the connection", referring to similar pratices in the past which he said should not be continued.
-------------------------------

24 Police Officers Linked to Gambling Den Scandal
Tan Network 2011-09-09

The police inspector general says the inquiry result on the alleged existence of a gambling den on Bangkok's Rama 9 Road will be forwarded to the police chief.

Meanwhile, 24 policemen have been found to have been involved in the operations of previously exposed illegal gambling dens.

Police Inspector-General Sathaporn Laothong revealed that an additional 24 police officers have been found to be linked to illegal gambling dens in Bangkok.

Officers turned a blind eye to gambling dens in Ratchada and Rama 9 areas, which are under the Wang Thonglang police station's jurisdiction.

There are thought to be 200 to 400 gamblers in the area.

Sathaporn insisted that high-ranking officers must take responsibility, including the deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who is in charge of crime suppression, along with the Metropolitan Police Division 4 commander and his deputy, and the superintendent of Wang Thonglang Police station, his deputy, and inspector.

The inspector-general reiterated that other officers will be called in for further questioning by next week.

The accused face charges of negligence of duty and violation of disciplinary regulations.

Sathaporn said the case report will be forwarded to National Police Chief, Police General Wichien Podposri to finalize the case and decide on the punishment, but he declined to specify when.