Crime Suppression Division police have arrested a man, who allegedly claimed to be a CSD officer, and a woman for extorting operators of motorcycle taxis.
Pol Col Panthana Nutchanart, deputy CSD commander, said the arrests were made after Col Burin Thongprapai, a staff officer attached to the legal office of the National Council for Peace and Order, led a group of about 10 motorcycle taxi drivers from the Esplanade Department Store in the Ratchadapisek area to file a complaint with the CSD.
The drivers said they were forced by Puthiseth Soysuwan, 40, who claimed to be a CSD officer called "inspector Jo", and Nattaya Klinkprathum, to pay them a monthly fee of 3,950 baht. They said the two allegedly claimed the money was for the department store and some military and police officers responsible for the area.
CSD officer arrested Mr Puthiseth and Ms Nattaya at a house in Soi Phahon Yothin 48 in Bang Khen district on Saturday.
Mr Puthiseth denied he had extorted the motorcyclists. He said he collected money from them because he had been assigned to do so by the owner, a private company, of the land where they operate to collect the monthly fee for seven to eight years.
Pol Col Panthana said the police would summonse the land owner for questioning. Mr Puthiseth and Ms Nattaya were initially charged with extortion.