Thai police said they have taken criminal action against a gang accused of abducting five Chinese nationals for ransom in Sa Kaeo, with the four police officers implicated also facing suspension.
The Chinese group was rescued on Sunday in Wang Somboon district of the eastern border province. They were found detained at an isolated house in a forested area in tambon Wang Mai by four policemen and a civilian, who have not been identified, according to the Sa Kaeo Immigration Bureau.
The foreign group was travelling in a vehicle with a Thai driver in the middle of the night before being apprehended by the police.
Instead of taking them to a police station for legal proceedings, the suspects allegedly took the foreigners to the house, handcuffed and threatened them with violence unless they paid US$10,000 each, or about 300,000 baht.
Two of the victims each transferred cryptocurrency to the suspects as a deposit, while the other secretly sent a message via the Line application to an Immigration Bureau officer in Pathum Thani, prompting immigration officers in Sa Kaeo to raid the site.
The Wang Somboon police station has formally charged the officers with unlawful detention, abuse of authority by state officials, extortion and misconduct in office. The civilian has been charged with assisting them, police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan said on Wednesday.
All suspects were taken to the Sa Kaeo Provincial Court on Tuesday for their first detention hearing.
It was initially proposed that the four officers be suspended from the police force to ensure a transparent investigation and maintain public confidence, Pol Lt Gen Trairong said.
Fifth officer sought
Authorities are also tracking down another police officer, who was said to have left the house to buy food prior to the raid.
Pol Lt Gen Trairong stressed that even if the detained individuals themselves might have committed illegal acts, public officials have no right to exercise extra-legal authority.
The investigation is continuing to determine whether the operation involved a larger network or additional supporters, the spokesman added.
Authorities are also investigating possible links to transnational criminal activities or online scam networks as the Chinese victims were found to have illegally crossed the Thai-Cambodian border frequently.
The case has drawn a response from the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, which has urged Thai authorities to conduct a lawful, fair and transparent investigation and bring all those involved to justice.
A spokesperson said China sincerely hoped Thailand would strengthen oversight of law enforcement and domestic security in order to better protect the lives, property, and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Thailand.
It also reminded Chinese citizens residing in Thailand or planing to travel to the country to strictly comply with laws and regulations and pay close attention for their safety.
