Hua Mak traffic police being investigated for extortion

An investigation is being launched into alleged extortion by traffic police at Hua Mak in Bangkok after a traffic volunteer was arrested for demanding money from two motorcyclists asked to undergo drug tests at a checkpoint.

Pol Col Kritsana Pattanacharoen, deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police (RTP), said a fact-finding panel had been set up to look into the alleged involvement of Hua Mak traffic police in the extortion of motorists.

Police authorities will ensure justice for all sides, Pol Col Kritsana said.

The inquiry follows the arrest of Cherdsak Sritha, 44, a traffic volunteer, on Tuesday, Sept 19, by officials from the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and Crime Suppression Division police.

He was accused of demanding money from two motorcyclists undergoing urine tests, in exchange for not taking action against them on drug charges.

The incident occurred in Hua Mak area, Bang Kapi district around noon on Sept 18.

Cherdsak Sritha, 44, white shirt, a traffic volunteer in Hua Mak, is arrested by plainclothes police from the Crime Suppression Division on Tuesday, Sept 19. (Photo supplied by CSD).

Mr Cherdsak had also seized the mobile phones and ID cards of the two motorcyclists and said if they gave him money the items woud be returned to them.

Police initially charged him with abusing his position as an official to forcibly ask others to give him money or valuables, and with malfeasance in office.

Kriengkrai Suebsamphan, director of the PACC's Office 5, said the two motorcyclists had filed a complaint with the commission. They said about 10 traffic police had stopped their motorcycles for a search at a checkpoint at the entrance of Soi Ramkhamhaeng 85 in Hua Mak around noon on Sept 18.

The officers also asked them to undergo urine tests for illicit drug use.

Mr Cherdsak, who had on a uniform like a traffic policeman, had walked over and seized their mobile phone phones and their ID cards. He had allegedly asked them to pay 5,000 baht each in exchange for not pressing drug charges.

The victims had negotiated, saying they would find the money to pay him that afternoon. Mr Cherdsak let them go. The two men then filed a complaint with the PACC, which coordinated with the CSD to arrest him.

During interrogation, Mr Cherdsak said he was employed as a thetsakit (city inspector) and was based at the Min Buri district office, Mr Kriengsak said. In his spare time he worked as a traffic volunteer for Hua Mak police station.

Mr Chersak had admitted to demanding the money, but claimed traffic police at the checkpoint had ordered him to do so, he said. He was handed over to Hua Mak police for legal action.

The PACC would look into Mr Chersak’s allegation implicating traffic police in extortion, Mr Kriengkrai said.