Three police officers facing human trafficking charges

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will send its investigation report to the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) recommending action against three police officers who colluded with offenders in the ‘Chom Dao Karaoke’ human trafficking case in Kanchanaburi province.

The DSI's investigation into ‘Chom Dao Karaoke’ began in 2016. It uncovered solid evidence of human trafficking and the three police officers' alleged part of the operation, DSI chief Paisit Wongmuang said on Monday.

The owner of the karaoke restaurant and its shareholders have already been charged and convicted for human trafficking. The seizure of their assets revealed that their bank accounts were linked to two police colonels and a police captain.

During the course of the investigation, it was reported that the colluding officers were trying to tamper with the case by contacting state officials and a reduction in charges and penalties for the convicted felons from human trafficking to selling sex services.

Evidence of falsifying information also emerged, as the young women lured into prostitution at Chom Dao Karaoke initially declared they were 19 during the first court hearing.

After separate interviews, the seven later confessed that they were aged 14-15 years.

The three officers will each be charged on three counts. Although they were not directly involved with human trafficking they will be charged with collusion and falsifying information, Pol Col Paisit said.

“Based on our investigation the colluding officers violated section 157 as they failed in their obligations and duties as officers.

"They also violated section 7 in accepting bribes to tamper with an on-going investigation, and section 54 for abuse of power in intimidating people against testifying in court,” Pol Col Paisit said.

The next procedure is for the DSI chief to formally submit the investigation report to the NACC for further evaluation and processing.

The three officers have not been named.