BANGKOK, Thailand — Bangkok police have ordered an investigation into two traffic officers from Prawet Police Station after a video showing one of them throwing a traffic cone at a motorcycle attempting to evade a traffic checkpoint was circulated on social media. The incident occurred at about 11:20 a.m. on September 24 while traffic police were conducting a traffic-law enforcement operation on On Nut Road, according to the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB).
Prawet Police Station has ordered both officers seen in the video to submit reports explaining the incident and appointed a committee to investigate the case. The committee has been given three days to report its findings for consideration of disciplinary and legal action. Police are also seeking the motorcycle rider shown in the video to provide a statement and assist investigators in establishing the circumstances and determining whether further disciplinary or criminal proceedings are warranted.
The two officers have meanwhile been temporarily reassigned to traffic administration duties and barred from duties involving direct contact with the public. Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom has also ordered the commander of Metropolitan Police Division 4 to suspend traffic checkpoints, interception points and traffic-law enforcement operations in the Prawet Police Station area until procedures and police tactics are reviewed and brought into line with regulations.
He also instructed traffic officers under the MPB to prioritize public safety, strictly follow police tactics and the law, and deal with members of the public politely and appropriately to maintain public confidence.
