Five people, including senior cop, charged for swindling detained Brit

Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakpan, the assistant national police chief, gives an interview with reporters in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Screenshot from Police TV's Facebook page)
Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakpan, the assistant nationwide police chief, provides an interview with reporters in Bangkok upon Tuesday. (Screenshot through Police TV’s Facebook page)

Five people have been charged in connection with swindling 6 million baht out of a British man in exchange meant for freeing him from detention, according to law enforcement.

Pol Col Ramet Kaewsungnoen, a superintendent associated with Mae Hong Boy police, was among the accused. He was also using his claimed connection with Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakpan, the assistant nationwide police chief. The Briton was withheld by police.

Pol Luxury touring Gen Surachate told reporters on Wednesday that a woman called Thirawan Khiewngam mentioned a bail request the Briton, who was her friend plus whose name has been withheld by law enforcement, had been rejected. Interpol had issued a red notice with regard to him, and he was detained by the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

Ms Thirawan then sought help from Thananwat Thanthanpan after the bail request was rejected. Mr Thananwat told her that he was familiar with a man named Witthaya Somsrisomsakul who could get in touch with Pol Col Ramet, a former classmate of Pol Lt Gen Surachate in the Royal Police Cadet Academy.

Mr Thananwat stated he believed Pol Col Ramet’s reference to Pol Lt Gen Surachate would be enough to persuade the particular immigration officers to produce the Briton. Nevertheless , the woman was told that 6 million baht must be paid to secure his independence, Pol Lt Style Surachate said.

On 06 29, Mr Thananwat and Mr Witthaya visited the man in the detention centre in Bang Khen region, Bangkok. They questioned to see the detainee in person but the officer available refused, citing a breach of legislation.  

Mr Witthaya called Pol Col Ramet and had the duty officer speak to the older police officer. Pol Col Ramet tried within vain to persuade the officer the detainee used to work as his informant and that the suspect needs to be allowed visitors.  

However , the duty officer again denied the two guys access to the detention cell and stated they should contact their superiors.  

Mr Witthaya then told Mister Thananwat to tell Microsoft Thirawan to move 6 million baht to some bank accounts. Nevertheless , after the money had been transferred, Mr Witthaya made little try to secure bail and could not be reached in the phone.  

Ms Thirawan then decided to file a police problem against the group with the Pak Klongsan police.  

Pol Lt Style Surachate said researchers confirmed that Pol Col Ramet acquired indeed spoken towards the duty officer on June 29. The particular assistant national law enforcement chief added that will during the phone discussion, Pol Col Ramet mentioned his name to the officer in an obvious bid to gain detention access.  

The six million baht has been found to have been remitted to third-party bank accounts before the money was eventually used in Pol Col Ramet’s and his family members’ bank accounts, as well as accounts owned by Mister Witthaya.    

The Pak Klongsan police have gathered evidence and summonsed Pol Col Ramet, Mister Witthaya, 67, and three others — Apirak Thiengtham, 43, Natnaree Boonma, 35, and Thipsuda Insongjai, 26 — to acknowledge the charges against them. Initially, they have been charged along with colluding to devote fraud.  

The three other suspects allegedly opened up the third-party bank accounts to receive the six million baht.