Chiang Mai police accused of extorting migrant workers for cash

Khaosod•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Employers in Chiang Mai report a group of men claiming to be police officers extorting migrant workers and employers through illegal checkpoints.

•A Myanmar national worker at Elephant Nature Park was severely beaten and left in a coma after being detained by men claiming to be police on July 14.
•Border Patrol Police Subdivision 33 confirmed officers were operating in the area and has established an investigation committee.
•Employers in Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts report consistent harassment and extortion of migrant workers regardless of legal work permits.
•Extortion payments range from thousands to tens of thousands of baht, accepted only in cash without official receipts.

•On the night of July 14, a 36-year-old Myanmar national worker was detained by men claiming to be police and later found severely injured and in a coma.
•Sangduan Chailert, President of the Northern Elephant Care Center, called for justice for the injured Myanmar national worker.
•Border Patrol Police Subdivision 33 has formed an investigation committee and ordered the officers involved to provide statements to investigators.
•Employers in Mae Rim District report that men claiming to be police frequently patrol villages to inspect migrant workers' documents and seize mobile phones.
•The group claiming to be police use various excuses, such as working outside the permitted scope of a permit, to justify arresting migrant workers.
•Migrant workers and employers are forced to pay cash bribes ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of baht to avoid prosecution.
•The group claiming to be police stated the actions were based on a superintendent's policy to strictly monitor migrant labor and claimed the money was a fine.
•The extortion has created widespread fear and negatively affected the livelihoods of legal migrant workers and their employers in the area.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Sangduan Chailert(แสงเดือน ชัยเลิศ)

President of the Northern Elephant Care Center and founder of Elephant Nature Park.

Northern Elephant Care Center(ศูนย์ภิบาลช้างภาคเหนือ)

An organization led by Sangduan Chailert.

Elephant Nature Parkℹ️

A famous elephant camp located in Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai.

Border Patrol Police Subdivision 33(กองกำกับการตำรวจตระเวนชายแดนที่ 33)

The police unit that confirmed officer presence in the area and launched an investigation.

Mae Taeng District(อ.แม่แตง)ℹ️

A district in Chiang Mai where the assault on a Myanmar worker occurred.

Chiang Mai Province(จ.เชียงใหม่)ℹ️

The province where the reported police extortion and assault incidents took place.

Mae Rim District(อ.แม่ริม)ℹ️

A district in Chiang Mai where employers reported frequent migrant worker inspections and extortion.