A preliminary investigation has found that at least 30 police officers participated in a YouTuber’s stunt without authorization alongside civilians who could be charged with criminal impersonation.
Royal Thai Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that two of the cops who joined a “hunt” for American former missionary Nathan Bartling, aka My Mate Nate, were assigned to the force’s Aviation Division. Six others were assigned to the paramilitary border patrol force.
All officers involved face disciplinary action for participating in the video, in which they combed through the ruins of a former shopping mall, guns drawn, in search of Bartling and his buddies.
“The officers did not seek permission from their commanding officers, which may constitute a disciplinary offense,” Damrongsak said.
However, he added that the younger officers shouldn’t worry too much as they mostly want to reinforce the rules and discipline in the ranks.
Investigators also concluded that Bartling and friends hired civilians to act as police officers who face relatively serious charges relating to impersonating an officer. If convicted, they could spend up to five years behind bars.
Damrongsak said he hoped to close the case within seven days.
YouTuber My Mate Nate’s latest stunt lands him in hot water with Thai police
It’s unclear how many officers actually participated in the stunt. The video never shows 50 officers at the same time.
Bartling reportedly visited the Kanchanaburi Police Station Monday to answer questions about the production. No charges or legal action against him have been announced. Gen. Damrongsak said he would be named in a future summons.
Bartling’s video was a clone of the type of stunt videos made famous by content lord MrBeast. Titled 50 Cops Hunt Me Down! It has been watched 2.5 million times since it was posted Saturday.
