Bangkok: Police have charged a Chinese man who organized a training program for outsiders at Siam University's crime reporting volunteer program. Pol. Col. Kittipong Pansri, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Division 9 and acting superintendent of Phasi Charoen Police Station, revealed that Phasi Charoen Police Station officers have pressed charges against Mr. Ming, a Chinese man, for using the symbols of several police departments without permission. Meanwhile, the university has sent a representative to give a statement to the police.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ming turned himself in and was temporarily released by the investigation officer. Authorities are investigating if anyone else used the symbol for advertising or solicitation. The prosecution is under the Official Emblem Act of 1939 for using the emblems of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the Central Investigation Bureau, and the Royal Thai Police to invite people to apply for training in the university's crime reporting volunteer program.
Regarding the 13 Chinese trainees, two have been initially questioned and stated that they do not wish to file a complaint about being charged 33,000 baht instead of the original price of 38,000 baht, due to a change in the training location from Pattaya to Siam University. The police are coordinating to gather information from the remaining 11 trainees, with some having already left Thailand. No money was charged to the 13 Chinese students and 1 Thai who came to train.
Additionally, a representative of Siam University met with investigators to provide details about the project but refrained from giving any information to reporters. Pol. Col. Kittipong disclosed that the investigation will include coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) to determine if other offenses are involved. If more offenses are identified, further legal action will be pursued.