INVESTIGATION into Bangkok Remand Prison, now nicknamed VIP prison, where Chinese women were brought in for sex with VIP Chinese inmates who paid 2 million baht for the construction of a secret room there shows that a prominent lawyer in Samut Prakan was involved as he had acted as the mediator, PPTVHD36 said today (Dec. 6).
An internal report of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) states that investigators had questioned more than 20 correctional officials this week and among them were some who were transferred after this scandal broke out with former prison director Mr. Manop Chomchuen and the secretary to the prison director later being suspended.
DSI acknowledged that some of the witnesses provided valuable testimony including the roles and divisions of responsibilities.
DSI’s financial investigation targeted both insiders and outsiders, particularly those close to the former prison commander. Financial connections were found between Chinese individuals and this prison’s officials, including involvement of the prominent lawyer in Samut Prakan, who investigators are currently questioning.
An analysis of the entire financial history of the characters in this case will show how they are connected and supported each other with a summary to be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further investigation, as wrongdoing by state officials had been found with civilians having aided and abetted them.
This DSI report also showed that the Samut Prakan lawyer was linked to numerous cases involving Chinese suspects and inmates. For example, he was listed on family visitation records of numerous Chinese inmates, as well as a small number of Thai inmates.
This raises questions about why this lawyer was consistently chosen as the legal liaison for Chinese inmates and acted as a mediator in their lawsuits.
The report further stated that an investigation of the former prison director’s travel records showed that he frequently travelled to one country over a single year, with this being unusually frequent, and he did so without notifying the Justice Ministry’s Permanent Secretary. Furthermore, this behaviour was consistent with his travel habits even before he assumed the position of director of Bangkok Remand Prison.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – Entrance to Bangkok Remand Prison. Photo – PPTVHD 26
Insert – Former director of this prison Mr. Manop Chomchuen. Photo – Thai Rath
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