The bribe was allegedly demanded to spare the motorist from being punished for a traffic infraction, said deputy police spokesman Pol Maj-General Piyapan Pingmuang.

Chakthip instructed Central Investigation Bureau chief Thitirat Nonghanpithak and Highway police chief Sommai Kaosamran to assign a fact-finding committee to investigate the case and propose disciplinary and criminal code punishment accordingly.

He said both the person giving the bribe and the recipient would be held accountable.

In a separate matter, Piyapan said a rumour that the police division’s 191 hotline number would be changed to 911 was untrue.