Five Chiang Mai cops transferred over illegal bars

CHIANG MAI — Five senior police officers in the northern province of Chiang Mai have been transferred to inactive posts for allegedly failing to close down bars that were out of legal compliance.
The five officers, according to the transfer order released Sunday, neglected to follow the military junta’s recent order that outlaws the sale of alcohol within an unspecified “vicinity” of educational establishments, sales of alcohol to minors and sales beyond legal opening hours, among other restrictions.

The five officers were Police Col. Mongkol Samphawapol, deputy commander of Chiang Mai Police force; Police Col. Wachira Kanchanavipada, superintendent of the Chang Phueak police station; and three other officers from the same station.
They were ordered to report to the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok by this morning. Police officers facing disciplinary actions are routinely “transferred to inactive posts” in Thailand.
Police Maj. Gen. Pacha Rattapan, deputy commander of the Fifth Region Police, told reporters on Sunday that police have received complaints about officers allowing certain bars and nightclubs in the area to serve underage customers and exceed legal operating hours.