The Commissioner of the Highway Police was transferred to work for the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) following the straightforward move sticker scandal. Highway Police had been accused of accepting bribes and granting particular passes for overloaded trucks.
The allegations have been made by Move Forward Party (MFP) member Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn. He took to Facebook to share proof suggesting that sure cops had accepted bribes from truck drivers and firms, permitting them to exceed the legal limits for load capability. Officers have been reportedly distributing stickers to the vans, enabling them to pass by way of checkpoints without scrutiny.
In response to the accusations, the Highway Commissioner, Ekkarat Limsangkart, denied any earlier cases of police involvement in such matters. He emphasised that bribery was not the foundation trigger, quite, overloaded vehicles were the explanation for the bribery.
Ekkarat asserted that to effectively handle this drawback, related departments must sort out it considering the bigger context.
Yesterday, the CIB launched an official doc stating that Ekkarat has been transferred from his position to work at the CIB headquarters. This determination aims to make sure an neutral investigation into the case.
Taking Ekkarat’s place as the new Commissioner of the Highway Police is Jaroonkiat Parnkaew, identified for his robust stance towards corruption inside the public sector as he was a former Commissioner of the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission.
Ekkarat assured the basic public that the investigation would be performed fairly and transparently. He emphasised his dedication to not helping any officers concerned in any form of wrongdoing.
Wiroj also accuses some police officers of accepting bribes from college bus operators and lottery sellers.
ORIGINAL STORY: Easy cross stickers: Police accused of accepting bribes from overloaded vans
A future Member of Parliament (MP) from the Move Forward Party (MFP), Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, has accused the Royal Thai Police (RTP) of accepting bribes and ignoring overloaded vans. Wiroj claimed that these vehicles, having allegedly paid bribes, are given special “easy move stickers” that exempt them from police interference.
Wiroj began posting in regards to the corruption on his Facebook account on May twenty sixth. He shared a photograph of a blue solar sticker on a truck with a caption that read…
“I have noticed new simple pass stickers on some vehicles and wanted to tell everyone involved to put an finish to this follow. Why do many trucks have this sticker? It does not look as cool as other truck ornamental stickers. Some knowledgeable me that they’re the so-called simple move stickers. No strings attached and I will examine to uncover how this straightforward pass system works and who’s concerned within the cost course of.”
Wiroj additional revealed that the straightforward pass stickers are obtainable in numerous designs. Some vans feature special rabbit stickers, leaf stickers, apple stickers, star stickers, panda stickers, and Thailand’s map stickers. These stickers differ by area and so they symbolize different bribe amounts.
Wiroj claimed that the whole quantity of bribes might attain 20 billion baht. He mentioned that if truck drivers or their firms desired to carry loads exceeding the legal limits, they would have to pay three,000 baht per 30 days for the rabbit easy pass, while some must pay over 25,000 baht for the very straightforward cross.
According to the legislation, four-wheel vehicles must not carry hundreds over 9.5 tonnes, six-wheel automobiles must not carry masses over 15 tonnes, ten-wheel automobiles must not carry loads over 25 tonnes, and 12-wheel autos should not carry hundreds over 30 tonnes.
Drivers or logistics companies that fail to comply with the legislation will withstand six months in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both. Moreover, their automobiles may be confiscated.
The Spokesperson of the RTP, Archayon Klaithong, knowledgeable the media yesterday that the Commissioner of the RTP, Damrongsak Kittiprapat, acknowledged the issue and had already ordered related authorities to investigate the case.
The President of the Northeast Trucking Association, Wichai Sawangkajohn, shared his perspective on the corruption problem with the media. Wichai revealed that the use of unlawful easy cross stickers and bribery throughout the logistics business is an ongoing drawback in Thailand.
Wichai explained that the majority of autos using these stickers carry hundreds that exceed the authorized weight limits. As competitors in freight transport grows, prospects are drawn to lower prices. This makes it tough for these complying with the authorized weight limit to compete. Consequently, more people are turning to illegal strategies to reduce prices and enhance incomes.
The time period “Easy Pass” usually refers to the card and system issued by the Expressway Authority of Thailand for the electronic toll assortment system used on expressways in the country..