"Aekpop" accompanied a husband and wife, victims of eight police officers extorting 2 baht of gold, to file a witness protection request. The couple fears mysterious cars disturbing their home, forcing them to sleep elsewhere. They insist on no mediation, want their gold returned, and intend to pursue legal action.
Following the case where the Chief of Pathum Thani Provincial Police ordered the suspension of eight investigation officers, from inspector to non-commissioned ranks, and reassigned them to the Operations Center while launching an inquiry, after a couple reported being raided by police with a court warrant, falsely accused of loan sharking, then abducted for extortion of 200,000 baht but had 2 baht of gold seized instead before release. Authorities confirmed the officers and vehicles involved were genuine but details await investigation. They promised full disciplinary and criminal action if guilt is proven, ensuring fairness without shielding wrongdoers, as previously reported.
Update: On 31 Mar at the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Aekpop Luengprasert, founder of the 'Sai Mai Must Survive' page, brought Ms. Yuwadee (surname withheld), 29, and Mr. Somchai (surname withheld), 43, the victimized couple, to request witness protection from the Rights and Liberties Protection Department. He revealed that eight police officers and one civilian were involved in raiding the couple’s home, taking them to Pathum Thani Provincial Police Investigation Division, and threatening to extort 200,000 baht, but ultimately took 2 baht of gold instead. Previously, the couple had filed a complaint with the Damrongtham Center, which did not accept the case, leading them to seek help from Sai Mai Must Survive and file charges against the involved police and civilian.
On 30 Mar, Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwpan, Deputy Inspector General of Police, and Police Major General Peeraphon Chotiksethien, Commander of Pathum Thani Provincial Police, coordinated for the victims to identify nine individuals from photos. The eight police officers are scheduled to acknowledge charges at Thanyaburi Police Station, while a civilian has been issued an arrest warrant. However, the victims remain highly concerned for their safety after noticing suspicious motorcycles and pickup trucks with unfamiliar plates loitering and parking nearby. They have fled to stay at a residence in Nakhon Nayok province and if forced to stay at their own home, they plan to enter quickly and turn off the lights. Today, they requested the Rights and Liberties Protection Department to provide witness protection.
Ms. Yuwadee, 29, said that after the news broke, she felt somewhat relieved, especially after identifying the eight police officers and one civilian involved, all recognized by face. Initially, the police did not have photos of the civilian, but after less than half an hour of reinvestigation, the civilian’s involvement alongside the officers was confirmed. The stolen gold has not been returned, and no senior police officials have approached them for mediation. Previously, a police officer called expressing a desire to visit and talk at their home, which they feared as they had already provided all information.
She is now worried about safety after reporting the case, as suspicious motorcycles and pickup trucks with unknown plates have been circling and idling near their home. With only her, her husband, and child living there, she feels stressed and fearful, not knowing who might be involved. She admits she is afraid to stay at home, sometimes sleeping in another province or hiding in the car. Her current goal is to recover the 2 baht of gold and pursue the case fully without any mediation.
Regarding legal matters, besides filing criminal charges, the police informed them about the 2022 Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances. This applies as the officers detained them excessively, holding the victims for eight hours. Questions remain about what happened during detention and why the victims were held so long. The victims recall that during the home search, officers only photographed mobile phones, but at the detention site, no audio or video recordings were made.
The victims expressed gratitude to the Deputy Inspector General of Police and the Commander of Pathum Thani Provincial Police for fully facilitating the case without collusion, which reassured them greatly. However, they never expected to be extorted by police while making an honest living and remain unsure of the officers' motives. When asked about trust in the police institution, they said the high-ranking commanders seem to be fair, and although they feared police protecting each other, they recognize there are still some good officers.
Mr. Teerayut Kaewsing, Deputy Director-General and spokesperson for the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, said the case involves two issues: first, the request for safety protection. The department has assigned officers to ensure the complainants' security and coordinated with the Protection Unit of the Department of Provincial Administration to assist. Future developments will be monitored. Victims can rest assured about their safety at the Ministry of Justice. Second, the department will investigate whether the abduction of the victims constitutes enforced disappearance under the law. If so, legal proceedings will follow. The department will also provide assistance for remedies but will reassess based on factual findings.