Bangkok: Crime Suppression Division police have arrested a military officer, holding the rank of Sergeant Major, for allegedly extorting bribes in relation to a construction permit for a warehouse.

According to Thai News Agency, Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) officers detained Sergeant Major Jakkraphan, who is the head of the Planning and Construction Division and acting director of the Engineering Division of the Hua Wa Subdistrict Administrative Organization. He was arrested alongside Mr. Sayan, also known as Mr. Noi, who was a suspect under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Region 1. The case was brought forward by a limited partnership, which authorized Mr. Pitoon Chanthip to prosecute Sergeant Major Jakkraphan for demanding a bribe in exchange for a construction permit.

The accuser sought to obtain a permit for building a 4,000 square meter warehouse at the Hua Wa Subdistrict Administrative Organization. It was revealed that Mr. Noi, claiming to be the secretary of the Hua Wa Subdistrict Administrative Organization mayor, demanded a fee of 125 baht per square meter, amounting to a total of 500,000 baht, for the permit. Mr. Noi also offered to manage all landfill and construction work, warning that failure to hire him would result in complications.

Sergeant Major Jakkraphan reportedly insisted that the permit would be issued upon payment and requested an additional 6.5 million baht, which included a deposit and permit issuance fees. Photographic and audio evidence of the conversation between Sergeant Major Jakkraphan and Mr. Noi was available, prompting the accuser to report the matter to investigators at the Crime Suppression Division, leading to the arrests.