Officials from the Thai Excise Department are accused of extorting money from an elderly grocer in Bangkok. The incident occurred on February 13th in the Sai Mai area of the city. The victim, Mrs. Sunaporn Boonkerd, who is 75 years old, filed a complaint with the police after five men claiming to be excise officials demanded 20,000 baht from her during a search of her store.
The men alleged that they had found counterfeit cigarettes on the premises, and demanded money in exchange for dropping possession charges. However, the cigarettes they claimed were fake were not the ones the grocer had in her possession. The officials had taken her cigarettes into their van for a "check" before re-emerging and making their accusations.
The men alleged that they had found counterfeit cigarettes on the premises, and demanded money in exchange for dropping possession charges. However, the cigarettes they claimed were fake were not the ones the grocer had in her possession. The officials had taken her cigarettes into their van for a "check" before re-emerging and making their accusations.
CCTV footage from the store captured the officials searching for a long time without a warrant. The men then forced the grocer into their van to extort money from her, demanding 20,000 baht. The woman paid them 5,500 baht out of fear, and they dropped her off at her store before driving away.
After the incident, Mrs. Sunaporn filed a complaint with the police, and the story went viral in Thai media. The five men have since been identified as excise officials and will be summoned to acknowledge the extortion charges and identified by the grocer. If found guilty, they will be dismissed from their positions and face severe legal consequences.
After the incident, Mrs. Sunaporn filed a complaint with the police, and the story went viral in Thai media. The five men have since been identified as excise officials and will be summoned to acknowledge the extortion charges and identified by the grocer. If found guilty, they will be dismissed from their positions and face severe legal consequences.
