Sanit serves as an adviser to Thai Beverage, one of the country’s biggest producers of alcoholic drinks, but is facing calls to quit the role.

Kamron Chudecha, coordinator of Alcohol Watch, questioned how a senior police officer could justify accepting payments from an alcoholic drinks firm.

“Investigations are needed to determine whether the alcohol industry has sponsored government officials and politicians in a way that may affect law enforcement where alcohol is concerned,” he said.

“Using this case as an example, would it then be fine for junior officials to take money from pubs and bars too?”

As a member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Sanit made an official declaration of his monthly salary from Thai Beverage.

While praising the NLA for releasing details of the declaration to the public, Legal Rights and Environmental Protection Association president Acting Sub-Lieutenant Somchai Ameen urged Sanit to step down from his post at Thai Beverage.

He said such a role could cause a conflict of interest, as police were required to enforce laws such as the Alcohol Control Act.

Somchai said all government officials should exercise sound judgement before taking extra jobs. “Please observe solid ethical standards,” he said.

Under ethical regulations, officials are |prohibited from receiving gifts worth more than Bt3,000.