Humiliated cops were forced to do squats as a group punishment after one of the officers at their station fired his gun when he was kicked out of a bar.

Furious locals complained when Sergeant Major Montri Meedate fired two rounds from his handgun during a drunken row with a bouncer at the trendy pub in the Thong Lor district of Bangkok on December 14.

His superior, Colonel Phansa Amaraphitak devised a unique self-flagellating punishment - ordering all 140 officers, including himself, at the station to undergo a ritual humiliation. It is usually reserved for naughty teenagers caught riding motorcycles without helmets.

Footage shows the 'boys in brown' uniforms lined up with their arms around each other doing 10 squats as a bizarre public apology on December 17.

The police chief said: ‘Seniors must take care of their juniors and not let it happen again.

'Ten times, all together. For those who have knee problems, go down as much as you can. Take care of your health.

'I want to emphasise the importance of the proper use of firearms and the responsible consumption of alcohol.

'Behave responsibly in public. Don't let this happen again.'

Colonel Phansa is on a drive to clean up the notoriously corrupt station based in one of the wealthiest parts of the Thai capital. One lawyer close to the station said that it had previously been banking more than two million baht (46,000 GBP) a night in bribes from bars and massage outlets in the district.

The shooting incident unfolded on December 14 when Montri, who was drunk, argued with a bouncer at the bar after being denied entry to the inhouse nightclub due to his 'disruptive behaviour'.

In response, Montri allegedly threatened the bouncer with a gun before shooting into the sky. No one was harmed in the incident.

On December 16, Montri was temporarily suspended from government service pending an investigation into his actions.

His relatives also offered 150,000 baht (3452 GBP) as collateral when applying for his bail release.

Montri is facing four charges, including possessing a gun without permission, which carries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.

He is also charged with carrying a gun in a public place without permission and necessity, which is punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.

Additionally, he faces charges for firing a gun without reason in a public place, with a penalty of up to 10 days in prison, a fine of up to 5,000 baht, or both.

Finally, Montri is charged with causing another person to feel fear or shock by threatening, which could result in imprisonment of up to one month, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.