Highway cop boss shunted in bribe saga
Pol Maj Gen Ekkaraj Limsangkat, commander of the Highway Police Division, was yesterday transferred to an inactive post at the Operations Centre of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) following allegations of kickbacks for overloaded lorries.
The order, taking effect immediately, was signed by CIB chief Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej. Pol Maj Gen Ekkaraj was replaced by Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, commander of the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD), until further notice.
The order said an internal probe will be conducted into the allegation.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) will ask Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward Party list MP-elect, to provide them with information on his claims about drivers of overloaded lorries paying kickbacks.
Police inspector-generals have been ordered to gather evidence by national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas following allegations made in a social media post by Mr Wiroj.
He claimed that drivers of overloaded trucks with special stickers were not being arrested or even forced to stop at weighbridges.
The stickers variously depicted rabbits, a smiling sun or Kung Fu Panda, and were available at a cost of thousands of baht per month, he said.
Police inspector-general Pol Gen Visanu Prasarttong-Osoth yesterday said he will ask Mr Wiroj for more details and also speak with the chairman of the truck association of Thailand and the highway police officers accused of turning a blind eye to the vehicles.
Pol Gen Visanu said this scrutiny process is the first time that a new police complaint review board will be tasked with reviewing a complaint.