The officer was named as Pol Sen Sgt Maj Phuwamet Hirunwongwaradol, 38, who is a squad leader at Subdivision 1 of Tourist Police Division 1, reports the Bangkok Post.
Pol Maj Gen Apichart Suriboonya, the tourist police deputy chief and spokesman, said the officer was assigned on Thursday (July 7) to patrol the Prawet, Bang Rak and Thong Lor areas of Bangkok but reportedly drove a police car to Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi.
He was allegedly accompanied by Manus Suksom, 46, who drove another car and posed as a tourist police officer. The two then collected bribery payments from entertainment venues in the area on Thursday night.
Police followed the two suspects and arrested them in the car park of Central Plaza West Gate shopping mall. The arresting officers also seized B100,000 in cash which included marked banknotes given to some entertainment venues by police after they received a tip-off about police taking bribes.
After the arrest, the Tourist Police Bureau issued a statement apologising for the officer’s conduct.
Pol Lt Gen Sukhun Prommayon, chief of the Tourism Police Bureau, has ordered Sen Sgt Maj Phuwamet’s suspension. The suspect will face criminal charges and a disciplinary probe.
Mr Manus will be charged with impersonating a police officer and extortion. Sen Sgt Maj Phuwamet has served as a tourist police officer since 2010.
christysweet | 10 July 2022 - 12:55:56