A police lieutenant colonel who made news headlines for refusing repeatedly to pay for food and beer at a restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday turned himself in to hear charges of physically assaulting the cashier.
The police officer came under heavy criticism on social media chat rooms after a video of his apparently drunken, violent refusal to pay was posted online (see below).
Pol Lt Col Prakarn Koprasiripat, investigating officer at Khong police station in thes northeastern province, reported to Muang district police station around 1.30pm on Tuesday to answer an assault charge, said Pol Col Pathiyut Singsomrot, chief of the station.
Pol Lt Col Prakarn denied assaulting Apiwat Wichit, 33, a cashier at Sor Sunthorn food shop in Muang district on the night of Aug 31 after he asked him to pay the bill. The officer had refused to give a statement to police investigating the complaint, the Muang district police chief said.
Police investigators would prepare their case, questioning witnesses and compiling evidence about the assault, and await the results of Mr Apiwat's medical examination.
If the victim was seriously injured, additional charges would be pressed against the accused officer, Pol Col Pathiyut said.
A friend of Pol Lt Col Prakarn who was allegedly also involved in the assault had yet to report to police.
Investigators would be straightforward in handling the case, to ensure justice was done, said Pol Col Pathiyut.
Pol Lt Col Prakarn hit the media spotlight after he and his two friends were accused of refusing to pay for food and beer they consumed at the shop on three consecutive days.
Daily News Online reported that the officer failed to pay a 700 baht bill on the first day, and 800 baht on the second day. He also did not pay the bill on the third day.
Earlier, Provincial Police Region 3 commander Pol Lt Gen Pisan Julladilok said he had asked Nakhon Ratchasima police chief Pol Maj Gen Thakool Natheesri to temporarily suspend the accused officer from the police service pending a disciplinary investigation into his conduct.
Video credit: YouTube user chatsurang kongpha