Northern Thailand

Police Arrested, Governor Transferred Over Mae Hong Song Child Sex Ring

Published

8 years ago

May 2, 2017

Bchcomber

Senior officials linked to blackmail, forced prostitution of teenager in Mae Hong Son

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MAE HONG SON – A Thai court has approved three arrest warrants for Mae Hong Son policemen on suspicion of gang rape Monday but denied three other warrants for officers who are suspected of involvement in the sex trafficking of underage teenage girls.

Decisions on the warrants were made by the Mae Hong Son Provincial Court after they were submitted for the second time by Pol Lt Col Worathan Kruechanta, an investigator at Muang Mae Hong Son police station.

Warrants were approved for three suspects attached to Kong Koi police station in the province’s Sop Moei district, one of whom holds the rank of police corporal.

But the three refusals — for an officer working in the central Muang district, and for two others from Provincial Police Region 5 (PPR5), which covers a sweeping area around Chiang Mai — have further raised public suspicion over the accuracy or thoroughness of the police investigation report.

Critics say the issuance of the warrants could cause much embarrassment to local police as the suspects include a high-ranking policeman and the driver of another senior officer.

Police sought warrants for three of the suspects earlier on Sunday but these were initially denied by the court, citing insufficient evidence.

The issue flared up after the mother of a 17-year-old girl — one of the victims allegedly forced into the flesh trade in Mae Hong Son — lodged a complaint with the PPR5 in charge of the North, accusing several high-ranking state officials of being involved in the racket.

The accused officials include Mae Hong Son governor Suebsak Iamwicharn, who is now being questioned by a disciplinary panel set up by the Interior Ministry.

However, the mother, 43, who was identified only as Nampetch, later decided to seek help from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) after the investigation moved forward at a glacial pace.

Police later apprehended three suspects: two alleged female pimps and Yutthachai Thongchart, a local police senior sergeant-major from Nam Phieng Din station.

They have been charged with conspiracy to force teenagers aged between 15-18 into prostitution and abducting children.

Meanwhile, Ms Nampetch, accompanied by her lawyer Keodpol Kaewkeod, lodged a petition Monday with Crime Suppression Division (CSD) chief Pol Maj Gen Suthin Sappuang, urging the agency to take legal action against Preecha Wimolchaijit, chief of the Mae Hong Son Provincial Police, and five other officers.

All have been accused of dereliction of duty in violation of Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

According to Mr Keodpol, Pol Col Preecha was accused of failing to order his subordinates to speed up the probe to provide fairness to all sides.

The five others are Nam Phieng Din police chief Somkiate Sawaengsook; a local police investigator; and three policemen who served as members on a disciplinary panel against Pol Snr Sgt Maj Yutthachai.

Mr Keodpol said the investigator received a complaint against Pol Snr Sgt Maj Yutthachai from Ms Nampetch but refused to take legal action, claiming he had already faced a disciplinary probe.

Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said the PPR5 is now busy handling a total of 33 cases against customers of the alleged sex-trafficking ring.

Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda has said the transfer of Mae Hong Song governor Suebsak Iamwichan to his ministry aims to relieve community doubts as the investigation into the northern province’s child prostitution ring continues.

Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul insisted Thursday that Governor Suebsak Iamwicharn was involved in the sex trade scandal in his province.

He said there was sufficient evidence to prove the allegation, however he was unable to provide details yet as it could affect the investigation.

Pol Gen Srivara said police have not summoned Mr Suebsak since the provincial governor has already been questioned by a disciplinary panel set up by the Interior Ministry.

The governor was previously implicated by the mother of a girl forced into prostitution, who said that Mr Suebsak was a client of the human trafficking gang. Governor Suebsak has denied all the allegations.

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

Published

7 months ago

July 16, 2024

Thomas3940

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Published

7 months ago

July 15, 2024

Thomas3940

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Published

7 months ago

July 10, 2024

Bchcomber

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province.

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.