Arrest warrants for seven cops in torture-death case

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

A court has approved arrest warrants for a senior police officer and six subordinates in Nakhon Sawan for alleged torture after a video clip on social media showed a drug suspect being suffocated to death with a plastic bag.

The seven policemen are: Pol Col Thitisan Utthanaphon, who was superintendent of Muang police station in Nakhon Sawan, Pol Maj Raveeroj Ditthong, Pol Capt Songyot Khlainak, Pol Lt Thoranin Makwanna, Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wisut Bunkhiew, Pol Snr Sgt Maj Supakorn Nimchuen and Pol L/C Paweekorn Khammarieo. 

They face charges of malfeasance causing damage to another person, colluding with five people or more in the coercion of another person and collusion in killing another person by torture.

National police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk has already sacked the most senior officer, Pol Col Thitisan, 39, from the police force for his alleged role in the torture.

The officer is known as "Jo Ferrari" because he owns so many sports cars, including a Lamborghini limited-edition Aventador LP 720-4 50 Anniversary special. He was reportedly the first Thai to own this moldel car.

His sacking came after a video clip showing a man being suffocated with a plastic bag was posted on Facebook and went viral online on Tuesday.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2170951/arrest-warrants-for-seven-cops-in-torture-death-case

[Vessey]

Be interesting to see if they follow through with this, rather than it being merely a 'face-saving' action as their officers had been caught 'red-handed' in trying to extort large sums of money from the suspect and killing him in the process.

[PeterRS]

"Jo Ferrari" has turned himself him. He claims the reason for the killing was his attempt to "destroy the drug trade" - not extortion! Well, I wonder how many actually believe that! Could he believe that since Thaksin got away with around 2,500 extra-judicial killings in his war on drugs, he was made in same mould? That would really be a joke! It was extortion pure and simple and it went wrong! Will he get prison? Now that really is the question!

https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/advanced/2172159/jo-ferrari-turns-himself-in

[reader]

From Coconuts Bangkok

Autopsy confirms tortured suspect died of suffocation, not overdose

The same hospital that initially backed up the police’s version of events about the death of a suspect in their custody reversed its conclusion today, saying he had indeed died of suffocation at the hands of the officers torturing him. 

Sawanpracharak Hospital in Nakhon Sawan province today released a new autopsy report pinning the death of 24-year-old Jirapong Thanapat on suffocation by plastic bag – as seen in leaked stationhouse security footage.

Deputy chief of the Crime Suppression Division, Col. Anek Taosuphap, said he had read the report and would further investigate the case.

Earlier on Aug. 7, one day after Jirapong’s death, the hospital had said he likely died due to high levels of amphetamines found in his urine, a version of events promoted by station chief Col. Thitisan “Chief Joe” Utthanaphol, who now stands accused of torturing him to death.

After the footage leaked last week showed that Thitisan and his deputies suffocating Jirapong, Sawanpracharak Hospital came under scrutiny for falsifying its report to help the police officers get away with killing Jirapong. 

The hospital defended itself last week by saying the autopsy report was only an “initial finding” and not official. It said that Jirapong’s body was brought there Aug. 6 by the police, who said he had collapsed and died trying to escape custody. 

Although Thitisan, aka “Joe Ferrari” for his collection of ultra-expensive luxury cars, and all the officers involved have been arrested and charged with torturing Jirapong to death, there is wide skepticism that the suspiciously wealthy and well-connected former police chief will face justice.

At a bizarre police news conference last week, he admitted to the crime but said he killed him to “protect” Thais from drugs.

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/autopsy-confirms-tortured-suspect-died-of-suffocation-not-overdose/

[reader]

From Thai Enquirer

Royal Gazette announces revision of Police Code of Ethics

The Royal Thai Government Gazette published a new announcement Thursday, addressing the revision of the Police Code of Ethics into seven new rules that will come into effect immediately. 

1. All officials must adhere to the main institutions of the country, namely nation, religion, the monarchy, and constitutional democracy with the King as the Head of State. Police officials must perform their duty for their state with an expression of national pride, while above all maintaining the interests of the overall Kingdom and respecting all religions followed by citizens. 
2. Honesty and integrity: all officials must perform their duty as according to the law with clear transparency and never seek personal benefits. All officials must hold, above all, the responsibility and accountability to investigate, admit wrongdoings, and be conscientious, while holding the people, human dignity, the environment, and nation at the heart of their duty. 
3. The courage to make the right decisions and stand up for righteousness: the courage for officials to stand up and speak out for what is right and wrong, without personal prejudice or personal benefits in mind. To refuse to partake in activities related to personal or private gains and to not associate themselves with or support those who commit wrongdoings, especially those in position of authority. To never abuse the trust of the Thai citizens, and to always be impartial as agents of the Thai judicial process.
4. To always prioritize the needs of the public over their own: to have the public’s interest at heart, with the willingness to unite and sacrifice for the greater good of the country.
5. To strive for the success, efficiency, and quality of their work and duty: to efficiently perform their duty with efficiency and righteousness, while always keeping in mind the safety and security of the people in the country. To uphold international ethical standards while always striving for self-improvement and professional development. To believe in the process of working as a unit, as a team, in full service for the people of the country. To reveal information that is transparent and necessary for the progress and justice within the Kingdom.
6. To perform their duty honorably and without prejudice: to always uphold equality above all else while performing their duties, and to never use their personal prejudice or biases to side with any particular group or person, whether it is by their background, race, religion, gender, personal beliefs, age, education, or political preferences. To always respect the dignity, right, and differences of each individual, and to always stay neutral in politics.
7. To always remain an example of a good public servant: to maintain and perform their duty as an ideal image of a government official serving as a peacekeeper and gaining trust from their people. To always treat people with politeness, humility, and respect, to never abuse and exercise their power senselessly for personal gains and benefits. To lead a simple life, while adopting the principles under the Sufficiency Economy philosophy as written by His Royal Highness, and to apply the religious doctrines accordingly in order to behave as good citizens who respect the law and discipline of the country.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/32135/royal-gazette-announces-revision-of-police-code-of-ethics-following-joe-ferrari-case/

[Vessey]

So presumably this now means the end of those sleazy non-uniformed guys with their satchels going from bar to bar collecting tea monies ? 😂

And of course it will also mean the end of traffic police just picking on farang violators and ignoring adjacent Thai violators, etc etc. 😆

But it all sounds so good as you read it 🤣

[spoon]

So prior to these new 7 rules, they dont need to be honest, obey the constitution, make right decision, prioritize the public, strive for success, carry duty without prejudice, and be a good example? 

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, spoon said:

So prior to these new 7 rules, they don't need to be honest, obey the constitution, make right decision, prioritize the public, strive for success, carry duty without prejudice, and be a good example? 

yes , that unfortunate guy need to die horrible death for powers to realize police need to strive for those worthy goals

[PeterRS]

Does anyone seriously believe in a country where corruption is endemic from top to bottom, where the Prime Minister has stated it will take him 20 years to get rid of  corruption (meaning: get as much as you can now boys whilst you are still alive - I'm going to leave it to the next generation to try and solve the corruption problem) that these new rules will be obeyed? I'll believe it when I see it!

[reader]

Somebody didn't get the memo

From Bangkok Post

An armed man in food delivery clothing who robbed a gold shop in a mall in Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima on Wednesday and shot the owner is reported to be a local policeman.

The robber made off with 126 baht weight of gold jewellery worth about 3.5 million baht. 

Pak Chong police and investigators from Provincial Police Region 3 later arrested Pol Cpl Anucha Boon-arak, 25, at his house in tambon Khanong Phra of the same district, Thai media reported on Friday.

Pol Cpl Anucha is based at Pak Chong police station.

During questioning, he allegedly admitted to having robbed the shop and showed the arresting officers where he had hidden the gold.

He was apprehended after police investigators examined footage from security cameras in the Big C shopping mall, the reports said.

Pol Col Manop Phutchong, superintendent of Pak Chong station, said on Friday that investigators realised the robber looked much like Pol Cpl Anucha, and even walked like him.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2176051/gold-shop-robber-reported-to-be-local-policeman

[vinapu]

6 hours ago, reader said:

Somebody didn't get the memo

 robbed a gold shop in a mall in Pak Chong district

Pol Cpl Anucha is based at Pak Chong police station.

 

Not only that but also broke unwritten thief code of not stealing where one lives