Thailand | Investigation Launched into Four Officials over Alleged Extortion of Detainees | CUAC

Civil Union – Follow-up Authorities in Thailand’s Phuket province have launched a disciplinary investigation into four administrative officials and members of the Volunteer Defense Corps following complaints alleging that they demanded money from people detained at anti-drug checkpoints in exchange for their release. Phuket Governor Chotinan Kerdsom confirmed that an investigation had been opened, noting that the fact-finding committee reviewed witness statements, documents, physical and circumstantial evidence, as well as information published on social media. According to The Phuket News, the committee concluded that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the alleged incidents may have occurred and that they could constitute disciplinary and criminal offenses. Authorities stressed that the investigation does not mean the allegations have been proven or that the officials have been convicted, and that the proceedings will allow them to present their statements and defense evidence. The investigation is expected to take no more than 60 days, with the possibility of an extension in accordance with applicable regulations. The allegations included requests for amounts ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 Thai baht from some detainees in exchange for their release. Source: The Phuket News – “Four officials blamed in Thalang extortion probe”