What this cases shows is just how systemic corruption is in Thailand. I mean, how could no one see what this police chief had been doing for years? How he amassed a fortune?
How many innocent people did he torture to get a "confession", because he wanted their car, their house, their gold?
With corruption so pervasive, Thailand is NOT a place to visit if you have any assets. I mean, some corrupt police chief could easily get you to "confess" to anything and subsequently, demand payments from your family.
With corruption so pervasive, Thailand is NOT a place to invest.
No, do NOT give the Thais a chance to cheat you. Let them cheat each other, bribe each other, torture each other...
In short, have nothing to do with them.