The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has accepted for investigation a petition by a Syrian national who has accused the police of extortion.
In his petition lodged with the Justice Ministry, Mohammad Yasser al-Halabi, 47, said a group of officers at Lumpini police station and volunteers demanded he pay tens of thousands of baht for the release of his 23-year-old son, who was arrested in June.
Mr Halabi claims to have paid them 550,000 baht in instalments, to no avail. He said his son worked as a barber on Sukhumvit Soi 3 prior to being arrested for having overstayed his visa.
The Syrian presented to police documents he claimed were issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recognising both men as refugees.
PACC secretary-general Prayong Preeyajit said he has instructed officials to probe the allegation and determine whether the office is authorised to proceed with the case.
A sub-committee will be set up to investigate whether the case falls under the PACC's jurisdiction, he said, adding it will otherwise be handed over to the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC).
City police chief Sanit Mahathavorn said he has also ordered a probe but suspects the man's extortion claim is groundless.
He said the complainant's son was arrested in June, given a one-year jail term and fined 3,000 baht.
The prison term was suspended and the man handed over to the Immigration Bureau, he added.
Pol Lt Gen Sanit said Lumpini station has six volunteers who work as interpreters because there are several embassies within its jurisdiction.
Deputy permanent secretary Dusadee Arayawuth said yesterday he has forwarded the matter to the Immigration Bureau and the PACC.
He said the refugee-status document does not serve as a substitute visa in Thailand.
Panchaphat Lertthiraruangkul, the man's interpreter, said extortion is rampant in the Nana area and foreigners who do not pay are often detained.
