The police are addressing an allegation by a Taiwanese celebrity who said she was searched by Thai police and extorted 27,000 baht in Bangkok this month. The police spokesman said the Royal Thai Police chief has ordered the matter be scrutinized and the police are trying to contact the Taiwanese actor to ask for more information.
Police spokesman Pol. Maj. Gen. Atchayon Kraithong addressed the Instagram post by Taiwanese actor Charlene An which alleged she was extorted by Thai police while holidaying in Bangkok in early January. The spokesman explained that according to the post, Ms. An was in a taxi with her friends and the group was searched by police when the taxi reached a police checkpoint. The post alleged people in the group tried to present their visa on arrival (VOA) to the police, who instead demanded 27,000 baht from them. They were only let go after the money was paid.
The police spokesman said the Taiwanese actor entered Thailand on December 29 and departed on January 5. The police are reaching out to the actor via the Instagram account which made the post to ask for additional details of the incident. They have also reached out via the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Thailand. Pol. Maj. Gen. Atchayon said no responses have yet been had.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Thiti Saengsawang said a checkpoint was indeed set up in front of the Chinese embassy in Bangkok on the night of January 4. He said the checkpoint was erected in accordance with a policy to prevent and suppress crime during the New Year’s period. He said police officers who manned the checkpoint reported there was a group of foreign tourists who were held up at the checkpoint for carrying electric cigarettes. However, communication with the group was haphazard at best.
The Metropolitan Police chief said the head of Huai Khwang police station, responsible for the checkpoint, has been told to look into the matter. CCTV camera footage from January 3 to 5 will be inspected. The taxi driver will also be asked to come in to provide his account. Witness testimonies will also be collected from the hotel where the tourists were staying. (NNT)
