Phuket Opinion: Gunning for a duty of care

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Phuket Opinion: Gunning for a duty of care

By The Phuket News

 

Cpl Pornthep Channarong during his re-enactment of his actions that led to the shooting of noodle vendor Aroon Thongplab early Tuesday morning. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: The shooting of 25-year-old noodle vendor Aroon Thongplab on Bangla Rd by a drunken off-duty police officer this week has again cast into the spotlight the need to prevent any police officers from carrying firearms in public while not on active duty.

 

The shooting, by Cpl Pornthep Channarong, shocked the island and all who visit here regularly, but should not have come as a shock that it involved a drunk off-duty police officer. Police in Phuket being involved in off-duty shootings is not new.

 

Top-ranking police have taken the front seat in the public relations campaign to appear in public to be doing the right thing. One has to wonder what for? If they are looking to be perceived as upholding decency or true sympathy, they have done nothing extraordinary to support the family other than what police are supposed to do for any victims of such a crime. Perhaps Mr Aroon’s wife and mother are expected to be grateful that such important people had taken time out of their busy schedules to offer their sympathies.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-opinion-gunning-for-a-duty-of-care-79178.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-03-01

 

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