Top cops transferred in casino scandal

Top cops transferred in casino scandal

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (left)
and Pol Gen Wichean Potphosree,
the national police chief.
(Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

Six high-ranking police officers have been transferred to inactive posts pending investigation of Rak Thailand party-list MP Chuvit Kamolvisit's claim in parliament that police operate a major casino in the heart of Bangkok.

Pol Maj-Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapat, Metropolitan Police Division 2 commander, Pol Col Paisal Wongwacharamongkol, chief of Suthisarn police, were transferred, along with four other senior officers at Suthisarn police station, police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri said on Thursday afternoon.
The other officers are two deputy Suthisarn police chiefs, the chief suppression officer and chief investigation officer.
Pol Lt-Gen Chakthip Chaichinda, the Metropolitan Police chief, had ordered their immediate transfer to Metropolitan Police headquarters for 30 days pending investigation of the allegations, the spokesman said.
National police chief Wichean Potphosree today set up a video conference with regional police headquarters throughout the country and ordered them to take strict legal action against illegal casinos and other games outlets.
He cited Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's policy instruction.
Regional police chiefs were also ordered to step up drug suppression.
Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) secretary-general Ampol Wongsiri on Thursday confirmed MP Chuvit's claim that senior police officers own a big illegal casino in the capital.
Mr Ampol said his staff had found the casino on Ratchadaphisek 18 Road.
He said it was the same gambling den that the Rak Thailand Party leader exposed in parliament on Tuesday. It was overseen by local police and allowed in only high-stakes gamblers.
Mr Ampol said the casino had moved from Rama IX Road, Bangkok. There were also medium and small  gambling dens in apartment buildings on Lat Phrao Road.
He also confirmed Mr Chuvit's remark that illegal drugs were available in toilets of almost all entertainment venues.
Mr Ampol said he questioned Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Jakthip Chaijinda's insistence that Bangkok is free of casinos. He said taxi drivers could comfortably take gamblers to their favourite casinos in Bangkok.
According to a PACC source, senior police officers at two police agencies own the big casino on Ratchadaphisek 18 Road.
There was also an order to close illegal casinos in Bangkok prior to the July 3 general election, intended to force Thai gamblers to visit Thai politicians' casinos in neighbouring countries. Those politicians used their profits to fund their election campaigns, the source said.