Fake Cops Demand Cash From Phetchaburi Ice Cream Vendor

PHETCHABURI – An ice cream vendor in Phetchaburi has filed a police report after a group of men allegedly claiming to be police officers repeatedly visited her home and shop asking for money, raising concerns for her family's safety.

Dusara Sriphongcharoen, owner of Lung Jod Ice Cream located along the irrigation canal road in Huai Sai Tai community, Cha-am district, told reporters that the group had visited her home and shop several times. The men allegedly identified themselves as police officers and asked for money to support activities. Concerned about the repeated visits, Dusara reported the matter at Cha-am Police Station and asked officers to investigate.

Dusara said the first incident occurred around midday on 25 March, when a man drove to her home, got out of the vehicle and asked her to make a donation. She gave him 1,000 baht. The same man later returned and made a similar request. Dusara gave him another 1,000 baht, although she had begun to find his repeated visits suspicious.

During the third visit, the man arrived with a woman. Dusara was not at home at the time, but he called and requested 2,000 baht. Her partner negotiated the amount down to 1,000 baht, citing the difficult economic situation. The man allegedly responded in a threatening manner, saying that he knew the home of "Mr Jod" and telling them to leave the matter for the time being. The incident left the family increasingly concerned that the requests might not be ordinary fundraising.

The group disappeared for some time before returning on 4 September. The same man allegedly arrived in a black four-door pickup truck with Bangkok licence plate 1 Phor Sai 9114 and parked in front of the house. About four men were reportedly inside the vehicle. One of them lowered the window, asked for Mr Jod and told the family to transfer money.

Dusara's daughter, who was outside the house at the time, asked why the men did not contact her father directly. The group then reportedly remained inside the vehicle and drove away. Dusara said the man had previously given her music CDs. She believed they might have been connected to people in police circles because he referred to a former police commander. She said she feared the group could return to ask for money again and that the repeated visits could put her family at risk, prompting her to seek a police investigation.

Former police commander confirms CDs are genuine

Reporters contacted Pol Maj Gen Pairat Paiphanrat, commander of the Police Policy Office and chairman of the Friends Helping Friends of the National Police Club, regarding the CDs allegedly used in connection with the money requests. Pairat said an initial check found that some of the CDs were genuinely his work. They included recordings produced for distribution to members of the public and interested people, as well as works previously sold or given as souvenirs at activities organized by the club. The CDs have been produced and distributed since 2009, he said.