Rayong police chief shunted over Covid gambling cases

The national police chief has transferred the Rayong police chief, Pol Maj Gen Paphatdet Ketphan, to an inactive post at the Royal Thai Police Office over the surge in Covid-19 infections in the province, all linked to an illegal casino.

Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk’s order appoints Pol Maj Gen Mana Inpithak, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, as acting Rayong police chief.

Pol Gen Suwat said he had also assigned Pol Gen Wisanu Prasartthong-osoth, a police inspector-general, to go to Rayong to investigate whether police in the province had been negligent in allowing gambling dens to operate.

He wanted the investigation completed in three days.

He said a disciplinary investigation would follow against any police found involved, because the surge in Covid-19 cases in the province had affected people throughout the country.

Even “mobile” gambling dens…