A Chiang Mai traffic policeman has been transferred after allegedly being caught on video accepting a Bt200 bribe from a Chinese tourist whose motorcycle had been locked up for illegal parking.
The video posted on Facebook drew howls of dismay from social networkers.
It appeared to show the cop pocketing the Bt200 and then unlocking the tourist’s bike on Phra Pokklao Road in front of Wat Chedi Luang Worawiharn.
The policeman did not write out a receipt for the cash, leading Facebook users to presume it was a bribe.
Pol Lt Col Supachai Chantra, an inspector in Chiang Mai police traffic control, declined on Monday to identify the policeman in the video, but said traffic police chief Pol Col Thanpanapong Chairangsi had ordered him transferred to an inactive post pending investigation.
Thanapong is leading the fact-finding team in the matter, Supachai said.
Supachai confirmed that officers shouldn’t be collecting fines on the spot after 6pm. This incident happened around 10pm.
The procedure is for violators of downtown parking laws caught before 6pm to pay their fines promptly, and after 6 they get tickets and must pay the fine the next day. Only then are their vehicles unlocked
