Video sparks arrest of Thai police in drug suspect's death

Four Thai police officers charged with murder in connection with the deadly shakedown of a suspected drug dealer in custody have been arrested after a video clip of the incident shared on social media caused a public furor

BANGKOK -- Four Thai police officers charged with murder in connection with the deadly shakedown of a suspected drug dealer in custody were arrested Wednesday after a video clip of the incident shared on social media caused a public furor. Three other officers were still being sought in connection with the Aug. 5 incident at their police station in the province of Nakhon Sawan, north of Bangkok, said police Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen, deputy national police spokesman. They include a police colonel with the nickname “Jo Ferrari” because of his collection of expensive sports cars, Thai media reported. Allegations of police brutality and corruption are not rare in Thailand, but the leaked video showing the suspected drug dealer suffocating after officers placed plastic bags over his head in an alleged extortion effort and an initial dilatory investigation stoked outrage. Police have also come under harsh criticism recently for their use of force in trying to quell anti-government street protests in Bangkok. While some demonstrators employ violent tactics, police have been accused of overreacting and using dangerous methods of crowd control, including firing rubber bullets at close range.