Police say viral mistress memo was a joke

Police at Soeng Sang police station listen to an address by their supervisor after observing the national anthem at 8am. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

Police have said that a sergeant's memo saying he had to miss a daily national anthem session in order to take his mistress on a business trip was a practical joke played by his colleagues.

The memo, dated Sunday and written by Pol Sen Sgt Maj Amnuay Waifah of Soeng Sang police station in Nakhon Ratchasima to his boss, has been widely circulated on social media.

It says he decided not to attend the morning gathering to observe the national anthem and listen to the daily address by his commander at 8am on Friday because he had to take his mistress on a business trip.

The memo was directed to Soeng Sang police chief Ratthasak Sukcharoen.

Pol Col Ratthasak on Monday denied that the memo was real. "It was written for fun by his colleagues," The Royal Thai Police quoted him as saying.

Pol Col Ratthasak confirmed to the Bangkok Post that Pol Sen Sgt Maj Amnuay was his subordinate at the police station. The sergeant was called to give an explanation and he said he did not write it, the police station chief said.

Pol Col Ratthasak warned netizens about possible legal action if they share the fake memo.