Chiang Rai News
Stolen Money of Top Transport Official for Kickbacks
Chalerm says politicians involved in multimillion-baht robbery at home of suspended top transport official
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday said that the money involved in a robbery at the home of suspended Transport Ministry permanent secretary Suphoth Sublom was a kickback in connection with bidding for extension of subway lines.
Chalerm told yesterday’s session of the House of Representatives that according to police investigation, the robbers were ordered to burgle the house by some politicians whom he did not name. He claimed the politicians wanted their share of the bribe.
“The money was obtained from corruption involving extended parts of the subway lines, such as the Red Line and the Yellow Line. I once spoke in Parliament about the corruption but people protested against me for making an ‘untrue accusation’,” Chalerm said.
He added that the government would ensure that the people involved in corruption would face legal action. However, he also said steps must be taken carefully to avoid any accusations of political persecution.
“The government will make sure the law is strictly applied. If any politician is found to be involved, legal action will be taken against him,” Chalerm said.
He also noted that police had confiscated Bt17.8 million from the robbers while Suphoth stated that Bt5 million was stolen.
The robbery took place at Suphoth’s home in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao area on the night of November 12. The permanent secretary for transport was later suspended from duty as the National Anti-Corruption Commission began an investigation to determine whether he had filed a false assets statement with the NACC, whether he had amassed ill-gotten gains, and whether he was involved in any irregularities. The anti-graft agency also impounded Bt15 million in cash retrieved from the suspects in the robbery pending the probe’s outcome.
Chalerm yesterday was responding to a query by fellow Pheu Thai MP Pichet Chuamuangpan from Chiang Rai, who asked Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about the robbery case. Chalerm, who is in charge of the police, replied on behalf of the prime minister.
The veteran politician said he had instructed the National Police chief to determine the source of the bribe money from the ring labels around the banknotes confiscated. He said that in this way the police could trace the bank and the account from which the money was paid.
He said that from the ring labels, he found that some of the banknotes were from a bank in the Northeastern province of Udon Thani. He said a construction company from that province was involved in fixed bidding that allowed the company always to win project bids, thanks to its payment of kickbacks.
Pichet, the MP who raised the query, said people wondered whether former transport minister Sophon Saram from the Bhum Jai Thai Party – which is now in the opposition – might have earned more in kickbacks than the permanent secretary, who reportedly got Bt1 billion. Bhum Jai Thai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut protested against the insinuation and demanded that Pichet withdraw his allegation. House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranond later ordered Pichet to withdraw his remark about Sophon.
Chalerm said the government had ordered the police to provide their information regarding Suphoth’s money to the NACC and the Anti-Money-Laundering Office. He added that he was convinced the Transport Ministry’s suspended top permanent official would be charged with filing false information about his wealth.
“For a person who has a lot of money but can’t explain how it is obtained, he deserves more than just being transferred to [an inactive post at] the Prime Minister’s Office,” the politician said.
In a related development, Sophon the former transport minister, scheduled a news conference for this morning at the Parliament building to explain the matter.
Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Chaovarat Charnvirakul yesterday threatened to sue Chalerm for defamation in connection with the mass-transit bribery allegation.
“I will check on Chalerm’s remarks and might sue for libel,” he said.
Chaovarat was reacting to the alleged linkage of his party and Sino-Thai Engineering Construction to the kickbacks paid to secure construction contracts for the extension of the mass-transit network, known as the Purple, Blue and Red lines.
According to Chalerm, the kickbacks came to light after the November 12 break-in at Suphoth’s home. Police have recovered about Bt17.8 million cash and estimated the loot to be more than Bt100 million.
national » ‘Burgled money was kickbacks’
Police in Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai Province have arrested a 50 year old man after the threatened to rape a 20 year-old woman and the proceeded to murder her 2 and half month old baby.
Police with doctors from Wiang Kaen Hospital and the Chao Luang Wiang Kaen Welfare Association were summoned to the scene of the incident to a 2-story cement house, Village No. 2, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai
On arrival they found Ms. Chanikarn, age 20, in a state of distress crying uncontrollably beside her 2 and a half month baby girl (Linlada) that was dead on the floor.
After calming Ms. Chanikarn, the child’s mother, said that at approximately 2:30 p.m she was out to collect diapers that had been dried in front of the house, while her 2 and a half month old daughter was sleep on the ground floor of the house.
She said she was suddenly approached by a Mr. Lee, about 40 years old, who lived on the opposite side of the road. He came towards her and grabbed her arm and threatened her saying if she didn’t sleeping with him he will go and kill his daughter.
Miss Chanikan refused and ran away, then Mr. Lee then walked into the house and grabbed Ms. Linlada’s leg, smashing the child’s head against the cement floor of the house. The infant died immediately.
Mr. Lee then just walked away and returned to his own home, leaving Miss Chanikan and her dead baby.
When police went to Mr. Lee’s home he immediately confessed killing the infant and was taken to Wiang Kaen Police Station for further questioning. Under caution he told police that he was sexually attracted to Miss Chanikan‘s and when her husband leave for work he took the opportunity to approach her.
He said when he saw her husband leave he crossed that road and found Miss Chanikan in the yard alone, he then threatened her to sleep with him, saying he would kill her child if she didn’t have sex with him. However when she refused he flew into a fit of rage walked into her home and murdered he baby. He said he was out of control with rage.
After killing the infant he walk across the street to his home and waited for the police to arrive. The police have charged him with premeditated murder and attempted rape. He is being held without bail at the local remand center.
Meanwhile, Miss Chanikan and her family were preparing a religious burial ceremony for the child.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
CHIANG RAI: Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has authorized the establishment of an emergency cyber center operated by the Royal Thai Police to combat transnational crimes committed by call center gangs along the Thai border in Chiang Rai province.
On July 19, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin directed the Center to combat information technology crimes. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) will crack down on call center gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and along the border.
His directive comes as call center gangs ratchet up their scams to defraud people of their money, causing concern among Thais and jeopardizing the country’s economic and social stability.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, Assigned Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Police/Deputy Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, has launched the operation ‘Bombing the Thieves’ Bridge’ in collaboration with the CAT Office, G., mobile phone network operators AIS DTAC TRUE NT, and local security agencies to cut the mobile phone signal and WiFi internet that criminals illegally use to deceive Thai citizens.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai stated that they will begin pressing the first action of the ‘Explosion of Thieves’ Bridge’ in Chiang Rai Province toward the thieves’ base of operations in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The territory surrounding King Roman in Laos. King Roman is now a full-service entertainment destination with an airport that welcomes travelers from Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, he explained.
According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai, this operation will have no influence on honest people along the Thai border, and it will only target cyber criminals.
They will also increase the arrest and prosecution of unlawful service towers, such as SIM booths, which allow gangs register SIM cards to swindle the people. Dealing with criminal organizations of foreigners and Thais who band together to deceive and damage Thais.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) suspended more than three million SIM cards on July 16 because the holders had not verified their identities with their mobile phone operators by the deadline, in accordance with the NBTC’s measures to combat alleged fraudsters’ mule accounts.
The names of the holders of 80 million mobile phone numbers used for mobile banking transactions did not match the names associated with the mobile banking accounts.
The NBTC would require mobile phone companies to authenticate SIM card holders and the names of their mobile banking accounts. The verification procedure is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.
In addition, the NBTC and Royal Thai Police have collaborated to combat illegal telecom towers throughout the country’s borders, disconnecting signals at 465 places, altering antenna direction at 470 towers, and dismantling antennas at 179 locations.
They are certain that the move will disrupt contact center gangs and other types of technology-based crime.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, shot and killed a 28-year-old man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a machete. The officer was slashed in the right leg with the machete.
According to police, the culprit, known only as Mr. Toon, had been harassing local villagers in Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai, threatening them with a knife and using violet insults.
The village headman arrived on the scene to try to calm Mr. Toon, but he was shouting hysterically and taking swipes at him with the machete, so he contacted the police.
When the responding officer arrived at the site about 9 p.m., he attempted to calm the man, but he instead assaulted the officer, slashing his right leg with the machete. In self-defense, the cop had to fire his gun at Mr. Toon, striking him in the chest.
Mr. Toon and the policeman were taken to Mae Chan Hospital, where Mr. Toon died of a gunshot wound. Pol Sgt. Sutthikiat Phanomphraisakul was released from the hospital after receiving numerous stitches for his injuries.
Local police received a tip around 9.30 p.m. yesterday that a guy was causing mayhem in the village. When authorities arrived, they discovered 28-year-old Toon strolling along a public road, holding a large knife and threatening people. Mae Chan district officials attempted to contain the incident.
During a search of Mr. Toon’s home, authorities discovered methamphetamine consumption equipment. Locals told authorities that the man was addicted to Yaba (Methamphetamine) and an alcoholic.
The authorities are conducting an inquiry to determine Toon’s motivations and whether any underlying issues contributed to his violent outburst.
Other related news:
Chiang Mai Police Offer Cash Reward After Officer Killed
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime/chiang-mai-police-offer-reward/
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