Charnthep said Metropolitan Police Area 7 had launched a fact-finding probe into the gesture and has asked anyone involved to submit to questioning within seven days. There is also a Royal Thai Police regulation against officers visiting business establishments during annual festivals, especially Lunar New Year, and collecting money, gifts or other benefits, an activity deemed “inappropriate”. A Royal Thai Police source said Manas, who distributed the ang pao to fellow Metropolitan Police Area 7 officers at his Thonburi home, was being investigated for having skipped work to travel abroad 96 times between February 2017 and this month. National police deputy chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul issued an urgent order on Sunday for the Special Branch Division to investigate Manas. Paisal is a former senior adviser to the Royal Thai Police.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 19, 2018 06:00 UTC