According to Thai news portal The Nation, the lieutenant colonel was arrested by Thai police’s central investigation bureau following a joint operation with the country’s anti-graft agency.

The Malaysian was reportedly arrested last Sunday for possessing a firearm without a permit and bail was set at 75,000 baht (RM9,700).

The suspect’s wife, also a Malaysian, paid the bail amount but the senior officer had asked her for an additional 5,000 baht as “facilitation fee”.

He then demanded a further 20,000 baht after the suspect was released on bail, claiming this amount was a “processing fee”.

The senior police officer is reportedly being investigated under Section 157 of Thailand’s Criminal Code for wrongfully exercising his duties to the injury of another person, which is punishable by a maximum 10 years in prison, a 20,000 baht fine, or both.