Region 2 Police Officer Crashes Patrol Car, Found with Untaxed Cigarettes
A Region 2 police officer, Pol. Sgt. Maj. Ekaphot, crashed a patrol vehicle into a utility pole in Mueang District, Trat, toppling the pole and sustaining injuries. Upon investigating the crash, authorities discovered untaxed cigarettes inside the vehicle, prompting further scrutiny into the officer’s actions.
Following the incident, Ekaphot was suspended from duty pending a disciplinary investigation. He now faces legal action under the Excise and Customs Acts. Police officials stated that formal charges will be filed once he is discharged from the hospital.
Authorities revealed that Ekaphot has a history of similar offenses from his time at Khlong Yai Police Station, where he faced disciplinary action before being transferred to Region 2. Despite his reassignment, he maintained connections to Khlong Yai, where his family resides.
His presence in Trat coincided with the local elections for the Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), raising suspicions that he may have been smuggling cigarettes while in the area. Officials also noted that the patrol car was accessed using a duplicate key, adding another layer of concern to the investigation.
Police leadership has assured that there will be no special privileges or leniency in Ekaphot’s case, emphasizing that legal proceedings will follow standard protocols to ensure accountability.
