Army General Arrested For Patpong Extortion

[Flashermac]

An army general has been arrested on suspicion of extortion in the notorious Patpong red light district, officials said Thursday, in a rare case of authorities prosecuting a member of the military.

 

Maj. Gen. Jenronnarong Detwan, 56, was arrested by the military early Wednesday at a hotel near the Patpong area and charged with extorting money from street vendors, defense ministry officials told AFP.

 

"He is the most senior member of the military ever arrested for extortion," said the ministry's Lt. Col. Burin Tongprapai, who led the arrest.

 

The military, who took power in a May 22 coup, began investigating the general after complaints from street vendors who hawk everything from cut-price DVDs to counterfeit handbags and watches.

 

Jenronnarong has denied the charge. "But he said he took money from traders to pay the owners of the copyrighted goods," according to Burin, who added the general is now under both criminal and military investigation.

 

Junta spokesman Col. Winthai Suvaree confirmed the arrest. The military also arrested four civilians accused of working with Jenronnarong.

 

Since seizing power, Thailand's new junta rulers have vowed to root-out corruption across the kingdom. The coup followed nearly seven months of protests against the toppled government which were pock-marked by deadly violence.

 

The junta has since suspended democracy, muzzled dissent and imposed sweeping curbs on freedom of expression as it bids to re-write the constitution and enact political reforms before holding new elections around October, 2015.

 

 

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/08/01/army-general-arrested-patpong-extortion

[cavanami]

More PR....so they have one of their own fall on his sword...will he go to prison? execute him?

 

...wait and see, I say nothing will happen and people will forget...

 

...maybe he will join Suthep at the Wat :rotl: :rotl:

[King Kung]

Temporarily transferred to an inactive post -- which means a post where he can't extort others.

 

Real penalties are for the little people.

[jitagawn]

Klassik because we know the bar owners pay up as well. Years ago I have heard the girls occasionally go to" take care"

of "poo yai" :(just rumor but likely) :hubbahubba:

[cavanami]

Temporarily transferred to an inactive post -- which means a post where he can't extort others.

 

Real penalties are for the little people.

 

...means a remote post where he will receive only a little "tea money"...