PUBLISHED : 20 Feb 2024 at 04:12
The Royal Thai Police has yet to respond to the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) request seeking protection for two senior prosecutors allegedly threatened by policemen charged in connection with giant gambling sites.
OAG spokesman Prayut Phetcharakhun said on Monday that the OAG had written to national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, calling on him to ensure the safety of the two prosecutors and for a probe into alleged intimidation by the suspected policemen and their obstruction of the investigation.
The OAG move followed a complaint by Kulthanit Mongkolsawat, head of the OAG Investigation Office, and Suriyon Prabhasavat, a senior prosecutor.
Both were assigned by the OAG to help police in a case concerning online gambling websites allegedly linked to Suchanun “Minnie” Sucharitchinsri. The suspects in this case include eight police officers, including Pol Col Phakphum Phitsamai, a close aide of deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn.
According to the two prosecutors, the suspects filed a complaint about their role which included photos of them which appeared to have been taken clandestinely. This was perceived as a veiled threat and showed they were being followed.
Mr Prayut said the two prosecutors were granted permission by the OAG to suspend work on the case until they feel assured about their safety, adding the suspension might delay the police investigation.
Nakhen Thongpraiwan, deputy OAG spokesman, said the matter requires the attention of and action from the police chief.