ECNETNews Reports: Siam University Denies Involvement in Controversial Paid Training Program
PUBLISHED: 4 Jan 2025 at 20:13
Two senior officers from the Thai police force have been reassigned to inactive posts amidst ongoing scrutiny into a contentious “volunteer police” training program aimed at Chinese nationals.
The program reportedly charged participants 38,000 baht each. Both officers have been placed on hold at the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s operations center while further investigations are conducted.
The officers involved are identified as Pol Col Niwet Ngamlap, chief of the investigation sub-division of Metropolitan Police Division 3, and his deputy, Pol Lt Col Kriangsak Chuaiwong.
Initial findings from the Bureau suggest that the officers were invited to serve as speakers for the training. However, the investigation is ongoing to determine whether they received any financial benefits.
Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom, the MPB commissioner, stated, “They will face both criminal and disciplinary action if they are found to have benefited financially.”
The program came to light following discussions among online commenters, who alleged that the Central Investigation Bureau, Metropolitan Police Division 3, and a private university were involved in organizing it, even providing ID cards featuring police insignias.
Concerns regarding the training initiative were raised by People’s Party MP Sasinan Thamnithinan, questioning why the Royal Thai Police were facilitating this training for Chinese nationals.
On Friday, the MPB called university lecturers in for questioning as part of their inquiry.
In response, Siam University President Pornchai Mongkhonvanit confirmed that the university is actively investigating the situation and is not simply observing.
Vethit Thongchantr, deputy director of the university’s Public Relations Office, reported having reviewed a letter allegedly sent to invite police officers to the program, asserting that it was not sanctioned by the university. He communicated with President Pornchai, who is currently abroad, and confirmed that the letter lacked authorized approval from the Office of the President.
According to President Pornchai, it is possible that an individual lecturer organized the training, as attendance was limited to around 30 participants. He emphasized that a thorough investigation will take place when the academic term resumes next week following the semester break.
