Bangkok: Waiting for an arrest warrant for “Film Ratthaphum” after “Big Tao” said that this case is considered attempted extortion. Charoonkiat revealed that he is currently expediting the investigation into the case of ‘Film Ratthaphum’, saying that this case falls under attempted extortion.
According to Thai News Agency, reporters reported that after Pol. Lt. Col. Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, stated that they are currently expediting the case and expect to have clarity soon because they have already questioned a large number of witnesses. It is under the consideration of the investigators to proceed according to the legal procedures. It is expected that there will be clarity soon.
As for whether it will be an arrest warrant or a summons, it cannot be said yet. Freedom to investigate is given because the investigation is complete. The Crime Suppression Division police are handling three cases against Mr. Ratthaphum Tokongsub at the same time: two defamation
cases and an audio clip of an attempted extortion of 20 million baht.
The case of the 20 million baht audio clip demanding money from The Icon Group, from the witness statement, it is unlikely to be an attempted fraud, but it is an attempted extortion charge, which has a penalty of more than 3 years. The attempted extortion receives a penalty of 2/3, which is equal to a sentence of more than 3 years, because the extortion has a penalty of 5 years. Therefore, the case will not go to the district court. We have to wait and see if it will go to the district court this week, because last time, we were able to hope to float the krathong.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in front of the Crime Suppression Division this morning was quiet. Only a large number of media outlets were watching to see if an arrest warrant would be issued for Mr. Ratthaphum, following on from earlier incidents with Mr. Ratthaphum, Ms. Krisanong, owner of the Krisanong Anti-Corruption page, who had also had an arrest warrant issued on a holiday o
r Saturday. Meanwhile, media outlets tried to contact Mr. Ratthaphum but were unable to reach him.
In addition, the media tried to contact the senior police officers overseeing the case, such as Pol. Lt. Gen. Suwat Saen-nun or Pol. Lt. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, and Pol. Col. Anek Laosuphap, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division, but were unable to reach them.