BANGKOK, Nov 25 — Royal Thai police Commissioner-General Somyot Poompanmoung held a press conference today to assert the wrongdoing of the former commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and others as they had collected excessive wealth from bribery demands.
At a press conference drawing about 100 journalists, Pol Gen Somyot said the Royal Thai Police Office had received complaints that former CIB chief Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayapan, former deputy CIB chief Pol Maj Gen Kowit Wongrungroj, Pol Maj Gen Boonsueb Phraithuen, Pol Col Wuthichart Luensukhan, Pol Col Kowit Muangnual, Pol Snr Sgt Maj Surasak Janngao, Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chatarin Laothong and five civilians had demanded benefits illegally.
The police verified the complaints and found a case so Pol Lt Gen Pongpat and other officers were later transferred. Evidence was then presented to seek warrants for arrests for many serious offences. Pol Lt Gen Pongpat and Pol Maj Gen Kowit committed serious offences against the royal institution.
Police reported their findings to the government, searched 15 locations including 11 related to Pol Lt Gen Pongpat and seized assets worth over Bt2 billion.
Authorities did not bring the 12 suspects or seized assets in the case to the press conference as they were being questioned and most were detained. Their assets were being carefully checked and recorded. Many other police officers are believed to be involved in the wrongdoing.
