Police sergeant admits to hi-lo gambling charges, returns money to brain-diseased young man facing severe disciplinary action

A police sergeant has admitted to hi-lo gambling charges and returned funds to a brain-diseased young man, facing severe disciplinary action. The deputy national police commander will visit the area tomorrow to monitor progress.

The case involves Yupapon, 46, and Thanasak, 53, parents of a 20-year-old man identified as "A" (pseudonym) who suffers from a neurological condition, seeking assistance after their son was allegedly lured by a sergeant from the 9th Region Police to play illegal hi-lo gambling at a house in Muang District, Phatthalung Province, resulting in losses of over 130,000 baht. The incident occurred in the early morning of April 28, and a complaint was filed at Muang Phatthalung Police Station.

Subsequently, Pol. Col. Sompracha Kannakanan, commander of Muang Phatthalung Police Station, ordered officers to investigate all four gambling participants under gambling laws. Whether fraud charges will be pursued depends on further investigation into the actual circumstances to ensure fairness to both parties.

On May 1, 2569, investigators called the victim for additional questioning and summoned the sergeant and three companions to acknowledge charges of joint gambling. The sergeant admitted to playing hi-lo gambling and acknowledged the fraud allegation, returning all money to the victim in the presence of investigators with a record made. Meanwhile, the 9th Region Police established a fact-finding committee to investigate both the accused and the victim. Tomorrow, May 2, Deputy National Police Commander Trairongwit Phiwpan will visit to monitor progress and clarify facts again, amid scrutiny over disciplinary investigation results which could result in severe punishment up to dismissal from service.