Thai Ex-Policeman Put Behind Bars for Abduction, Torture, Extortion by Phairath Khampha 16 November 2002 Victim's testicles tied with rubber bands, loved ones threatened In what again clearly demonstrated that Thailand's police cannot be trusted, two men, one formerly a police sergeant major during the time of the crime, were jailed for abducting, torturing and extorting the owner of a prawn feed firm. The Criminal Court sentenced Pol Sgt-Maj Chatmek Chaiporama, 46, and Sampao Bunsuwan, 50, to six years. A third defendant, Anuwat Thadsuan, 38, was acquitted for lack of evidence. The court was told that Chatmek, while still a policeman, abducted Sompop Chainant, owner of A. Star CTB Co, from his car and held him prisoner from January 5-April 18, 2000. He accused Mr Sompop of swindling and claiming affiliation with people in high places to gain commercial benefits, which was not true. The policeman told Mr Sompop he was taking him to see a senior police officer. Instead, he locked him up in a house belonging to Sampao in Tha Maka district, Kanchanaburi. Mr Anuwat was told to keep an eye on Mr Sompop, the prosecution showed. While confined, Mr Sompop was ordered to settle a 40 million-baht debt he supposedly owed Anothai Arunyajaru, a real estate businessman. Mr Anothai was, in fact, in debt to Mr Sompop after breaking a land purchase contract, the court was told. Mr Sompop refused to pay and Chatmek tortured him, tying his captive's testicles with rubber bands and threatening to harm his wife and son. Mr Sompop finally gave in when his testicles were about to explode, and agreed to pay seven million baht. He came up with 250,000 baht cash which the defendants seized from him along with his car. Mr Sompop was later released and he reported the crime to police. Chatmek surrendered. Sampao and Mr Anuwat were arrested by police but denied any involvement. The court found the evidence to be compelling against Chatmek and Sampao. Mr Anuwat, however, only fetched Mr Sompop food while he was detained and had no direct link to the crime, the court said.