Picture: Manager

 

A long standing source of extra income for Thai police has been plugged.

 

Until last week Thai cops could get "rewards" by claiming a small percentage of fines issued to motorists through the post after they were caught on CCTV and via other electronic means. 

 

This might be speeding, using the wrong lane, going through red lights, for example, reported Manager.

 

Now this revenue stream has been cut off by an official directive to the Royal Thai Police by the Ministry of Finance.

 

From May 28th onward all fines gained in this way are to go into RTP traffic management and associated expenditure. They are all to be considered state coffers. 

 

It can't be used to boost a policeman's salary. 

 

This was reported on the Facebook page of Pol Maj-Gen Ekkarak Limsangkat. He is a regional deputy commander in Phitsanulok but has long been involved in reforming traffic laws and the activities of the traffic police.

 

On "Traffic Talk with Ekkarak" he said that the department of Finance issued the directive on May 27th and it became effective next day.

 

Despite the end to this money for police they will still be eligible to claim a proportion of traffic fines gained by non-electronic means - that is to say face to face fines collected on the spot and not issued through the mail. 

 

Thaivisa notes that huge revenues are gained in the modern era through CCTV cameras and the directive could have a major impact on the police. 

 

Clearly the ministry was aware of how much money the police could extract from the pot.

 

Whilst notoriously underpaid and underfunded, the RTP are well known for "supplementing" their income through other means. 

 

With this cutoff it remains to be seen how traffic police might endeavor to bolster their salaries.

 

Many have said that roadside fines and traffic stops have decreased in recent years, perhaps as "rewards" have been gained in other ways like CCTV fines. 

 

The shift away from this revenue stream could impact police activity in the coming months and years, we suggest. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-06-03

 

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why?  Seems okay to me.  Better than getting ripped off by a single cop at a junction on a trumped up charge. 

3 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

why?  Seems okay to me.  Better than getting ripped off by a single cop at a junction on a trumped up charge. 

To take away what appears to be a fairly legitimate source of income, (where they really have no ability to corrupt or influence), surely drives them more to the illegitimate ones!

Edited June 3, 20215 yr by jacko45k

I am sure they will just go out and find spots to stop people to get money. They are not just going to lie down and do nothing as their wages are a joke.

No problem as the cops now will simply steal the cameras and flog them privately.

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

To take away what appears to be a fairly legitimate source of income, (where they really have no ability to corrupt or influence), surely drives them more to the illegitimate ones!

exactly 

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

It can't be used to boost a policeman's salary. 

I'm sure they'll figure out ways to get compensation. 

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thai cops could get "rewards" by claiming a small percentage of fines issued to motorists through the post

What a strange behaviour. 

 

Why would a police officer go on patrol, this reward would encourage police officers to just sit at their desk in front of the computer all day. 

 

Now I understand why I see so many law breakers, all the cops are sat at their desks

Does this mean we will no longer see vehicles being driven around with their licence plate numbers painted out?

They should stop buying Teslas and high-end BMWs if they are skint. 

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

To take away what appears to be a fairly legitimate source of income, (where they really have no ability to corrupt or influence), surely drives them more to the illegitimate ones!

I disagree if they stop someone they get money from it and the charge should be legitimate like most chargers are. Why would they get salary for something they did not do. Its all about motivating them to do some work (stop people who break the law)

1 minute ago, robblok said:

I disagree if they stop someone they get money from it and the charge should be legitimate like most chargers are. Why would they get salary for something they did not do. Its all about motivating them to do some work (stop people who break the law)

You are supporting the very reasons they are corrupt and despised.....they need to be isolated from the cash. 

Well most police won't bother to stop illegal acts in the road ..simple 

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

You are supporting the very reasons they are corrupt and despised.....they need to be isolated from the cash. 

NO i am not but then again your from a different area that I am from. Where i lived the police never pulled fast ones. Only real infractions were targeted. They did not need to make anything up. Enough people without a helmet.

So tell me how were you targeted and how did you lose your cash. I with a legal Thai DL and motorcycle have never been unfairly targeted neither in my car nor bike. 

4 minutes ago, robblok said:

So tell me how were you targeted and how did you lose your cash. I with a legal Thai DL and motorcycle have never been unfairly targeted neither in my car nor bike. 

I have been waved over selectively and accused of speeding. Once he accepted money to let me go, another I argued and he knew I knew  I was not speeding. Still, I agree it is better in modern times, follow the rules, helmet or belt on, have the Thai licence and mostly okay. They are still a bunch of corrupts and untrustworthy people though. 

Just now, jacko45k said:

I have been waved over selectively and accused of speeding. Once he accepted money to let me go, another I argued and he knew I knew  I was not speeding. Still, I agree it is better in modern times, follow the rules, helmet or belt on, have the Thai licence and mostly okay. They are still a bunch of corrupts and untrustworthy people though. 

So once and waved through many times. I would not exactly call that really bad at all. Seems like you were exaggerating your point a bit as most of the time you had no problems with them.

 

Whenever i pull out my Thai DL and insurance paper i get quickly waved through. Never paid a fine for something i did not do. Pattaya might be different but two times is not much in my book. Unless you been here a year or so.

 

So even by your own account its not as bad as you first stated.

7 minutes ago, robblok said:

So even by your own account its not as bad as you first stated.

And where is that?

Just through my 3rd one in the bin for the past 2 months.

 

They never come looking for it, too lazy and neve recorded, so as long as my license and registration are valid, i.e. not cancelled for not paying fines, that's were they will keep going.

 

Cops here are too lazy and will remain that way, they have other revenue raising ways.

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

And where is that?

You admit to being scammed just 1 time. I would not call that really bad. Unless you have lived here less then a year. Then again you could be someone who likes to moan and think that 1 time is a huge number.

4 minutes ago, robblok said:

You admit to being scammed just 1 time. I would not call that really bad. Unless you have lived here less then a year. Then again you could be someone who likes to moan and think that 1 time is a huge number.

You ducked the question... where was I moaning and claiming it was 'REALLY BAD' You said that, I did not. Stop putting words in my mouth!

Edited June 3, 20215 yr by jacko45k

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

You ducked the question... where was I moaning and claiming it was 'REALLY BAD' You said that, I did not. Stop putting words in my mouth!

I would call it really bad when you call someone despised. Maybe you should get those anger issues under control. Getting your panties in a twist over a 1 time fine that you dispute. Not sure how long you have been here but if more then one year then yea in my opinion your a moaner.

 

1 time in a whole year and then despising the police.. wow. Like you said most of the time no problems. Yet you despise them...

I think there should be a police programme where people could submit dashcam videos and pocket anywhere between 25% and 50% of the fine if any was applied.

I have some appalling examples of driving on my cam ????

1 minute ago, robblok said:

1 time in a whole year and then despising the police.. wow. Like you said most of the time no problems. Yet you despise them...

I did not say I despised them, you seem unable to read, relax, you are over heating.

Edited June 3, 20215 yr by jacko45k

Just now, jacko45k said:

I did not say I despised them, you seem unable to read,

Maybe you should have put it differently to make it clear that others (according to you) despise them but that is not your opinion.

 

Anyway my whole point was not about separating them from the money. But the fact that i understand them getting part of fines they actually work for but not fines that are generated automatically. Yet you did not seem to get that. 

1 minute ago, robblok said:

Maybe you should have put it differently to make it clear that others

If you want to misinterpret I can do little about it.... 

If you believe generally Thai police are not despised, well not an impression I get....  I have been here a while, and heard it often enough. You should see my Mrs go at them when wrongly accused. 

I don't think they should be involved with the setting or collection of fines at all.... but to remove this one source of income, where they are not in control, does not address the problems of underpay and police corruption.. likely exacerbates it. 

6 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

If you want to misinterpret I can do little about it.... 

If you believe generally Thai police are not despised, well not an impression I get....  I have been here a while, and heard it often enough. You should see my Mrs go at them when wrongly accused. 

I don't think they should be involved with the setting or collection of fines at all.... but to remove this one source of income, where they are not in control, does not address the problems of underpay and police corruption.. likely exacerbates it. 

Like i said we live in different circles. Nobody likes the police but despicing them is a different story. I have always been treated fairly you have been living here for a long time and caught out 1 times. Hardly seems a lot. So I wonder what the problem is.

 

I think they can collect fines that is what police do and as long as you get a written receipt its all above book. I don't think its a problem they get a cut from legit fines that they have helped collect. I do see it as a problem if they get a cut for fines that are collected automatically. That is not an incentive and more incentive to buying positions to places where these automated systems workt he best. 

 

Maybe the police should get more money though i doubt that would solve the problem of corruption. Corruption is bad all over the place just paying them more will only make them feel more entitled. There should be more stuff based on merit then fixed income.

 

But at least your reasoning makes some sense not that i agree with it but it is at least a debatable view.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Now this revenue stream has been cut off by an official directive to the Royal Thai Police by the Ministry of Finance.

Redirected to other people?

Quote

Traffic Talk with Ekkarak

That must be riveting listening

6 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

I am sure they will just go out and find spots to stop people to get money. They are not just going to lie down and do nothing as their wages are a joke.

Another reason to stay in the comfort of the police booth

5 hours ago, robblok said:

NO i am not but then again your from a different area that I am from. Where i lived the police never pulled fast ones. Only real infractions were targeted. They did not need to make anything up. Enough people without a helmet.

So tell me how were you targeted and how did you lose your cash. I with a legal Thai DL and motorcycle have never been unfairly targeted neither in my car nor bike. 

Well said, but, c'mon Robblok, you're making too much sense, that won't go down well and will just invite attacks from the irrational!