First cohort of courts marshal graduate, begin work August 6

By Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

 

Office of the Judiciary secretary-general Sarawut Benjakul

 

The country’s first batch of 35 courts marshal or bailiffs, whose main duties are providing security at court houses and tracking down offenders who jump bail, were ready to start working from tomorrow (August 6) onward, after completing a 14-day intensive academic and field training programme , said Office of the Judiciary secretary-general Sarawut Benjakul today.

 

The July 22-August 4 programme at Bangkok’s Taling Chan Training Centre included the use of firearms, counter-terrorism, intelligence analysis, investigative techniques, as well as planning execution of a search operation, arresting techniques and VIP protection, he said.

 

The secretary-general said that due to a lack of staffing during the first phase, the courts marshal would mainly focus on putting in place a standardised security system at court houses. It would also include protecting court personnel and judges, tracking down offenders who jump bail – especially those who were fitted with and broke away from electromagnetic trackers – and providing special protection in high-profile cases upon request.

 

The National Legislative Assembly in February passed a bill that formally established the unit of courts marshal, which came into effect in July. 

 

The courts marshal will carry firearms and have equivalent rank and authority as their counterparts in the civil service and police force. They will operate under the court security centre, with an initial budget of about Bt22 million this year, out of the allocated Bt200 million). A total of 109 courts marshal positions are expected to be filled within five years.

 

Most of this first group of 35 courts marshal (28 male and seven female) had police or military backgrounds or had previously worked in relevant judicial agencies. 

 

They are divided into two groups – the first of which are specialists (aged 45-50 for academic specialists and 34-40 for operational specialists) who have obtained a law degree and with at least five years of work experience in security, investigation and intelligence. The second group, general operatives aged under 35 with at least the Por Wor Sor vocational certificate or equivalent education, have at least five years of work experience in security, investigation or intelligence. This first batch was originally intended to fill 40 positions: six academic specialists, 24 operational specialists and 10 general operatives.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30374226

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-08-05

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12 minutes ago, webfact said:

a 14-day intensive academic and field training programme

Wow, that must've produced quite a fine crop of bailiffs. My part-time maid who works on the assembly line at a major soft drink manufacturer received longer training...

 

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

VIP protection

And why would that be part of a COURT BAILIFF's job responsibilities? Maybe he means protecting VIPs who are standing trial...

 

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

tracking down offenders who jump bail

Since jumping bail seems to be some sort of a national sports, how much time will these bailiffs actually spend on their primary duty, i.e. providing security and keeping order in a court house?

A 14-day intensive academic and field training programme and the're good to go. 

The tracking down of bail jumpers has the potential to be a nice little earner. A bit like a bounty hunter in reverse where the hunted pays not to be taken back. 

2 weeks training for "the use of firearms, counter-terrorism, intelligence analysis, investigative techniques, as well as planning execution of a search operation, arresting techniques and VIP protection"...

 

and then... " here is your gun and you 00x licence to kill"...

 

wow... why do I NOT feel safer???