Prime Minister Vows To Eradicate Police Corruption

[Jai Dee]

PM vows to eradicate police corruption

The Prime Minister affirms that reform of the nation's law enforcement institute will result in an orderly and honest society.

Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont reports that government plans to reform the nation into a just society will include restructuring of law enforcement institutes, decentralization of police administration, the establishment of an independent committee to oversee law enforcement action, and the revision of various laws and regulations to promote coooperation between the public and the police.

The Prime Minister asked that police officers not be distressed over the government's reformation plans.

He affirmed that authorities will rid the law enforcement institute of corruption and create a society based on the doctrine of law, resulting in an equal and fair state.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 June 2007

[peter991]

And this will take place when?

Peter

[Prakanong]

Really - I just saw a big fat porker go past the 30th floor too.

And they wonder why everyone laughs at them - the and the sad thing is he might really believe it!

Endemic corruption from the top down - not just the little boys in brown.

Edited June 11, 2007 by Prakanong

[Shah Jahan]

That would be fantastic.

In countries like America and western europe, the Law is created as greater than any one individual.

Meaning that as public servant - it is a duty to serve the Law, rather than use the Law conviently to serve you.

if mr. PM really plans to do this - then a few things need to happen

1) he needs to stop making recruits pay 200k+ baht to join the police force and buy their own guns- all equipment needs to be given and owned by the state. this 'entry fee' sets the presedant for corruption in the officers career.

2) salaries need to be doubled.

3) Judges need to be there to uphold the law, rather than to follow an agenda.

4) .......

oh forget it...mai ben lai....its too hard....

[PhilHarries]

I thought this was the Pattaya news headlines thread when I read the topic title.

Given that khun Surayud has less than six months left in office, assuming elections are held as promised, I don't think too much will change. Also I recall a certain former encumbent of the position vowing to eradicate corruption.

[Plus]

Some new police officers don't even collect their salaries for the first few months. When asked, they reply that they thought a gun and a uniform was all they needed to make a living.

[ColPyat]

One of the reasons this government is not exactly well liked even by clean officers is that they all speak about police corruption, while at the same time, as military officers, ignore in their speeches the equally rampant corruption and abuse of power within the military.

[Tony Clifton]

The police force is most likely the one to interact with the public and the most visible. They should be first in line when it comes to reform.

[DirkGently]

So he is going to change the outlook and views of the entire society is he. You can't stamp out what everybody does or would do if they got a chance.

[astral]

He will not be in power long enough to make a change like that.

If it ever happens, it will take decades to be effective.

[ColPyat]

The police force is most likely the one to interact with the public and the most visible. They should be first in line when it comes to reform.

You mean to say that just because we don't see military corruption, even if it is as bad, it is not important?

[baabaabobo]

[quote

He affirmed that authorities will rid the law enforcement institute of corruption and create a society based on the doctrine of law, resulting in an equal and fair state. quote]

[soundman]

Purple Elephants might fly first.

And Surayod had better invest in a bulletproof vest....

Soundman.

[cclub75]

Surayud is boring.

No one is laughing any more with such "thai gems" : drugs, corruption, gambling, G-string or whatever... always to be "eradicated" in a XX amount of time. It was already ridiculous under Thaksin.

Now, it becomes pathetic.

However, Surayud seems very pleased with the "achievements" of his gvt, over the last six month.

Surayud is a happy individual. He's smiling often.

Good for him.

[stoneman]

I would be willing to wager that if you took a poll of the entire Thai police force asking them whether they would like to have their salary doubled and no corruption or keep it as is....the unanimous answer would be for the latter.. They could not afford the cut in pay.

Stoneman

[yaketyak]

So he is going to change the outlook and views of the entire society is he. You can't stamp out what everybody does or would do if they got a chance.

Exactly. No-one wants it stampled out , so why do it? Works just fine as it is.

[lazeeboy]

So he is going to change the outlook and views of the entire society is he. You can't stamp out what everybody does or would do if they got a chance.

Exactly. No-one wants it stampled out , so why do it? Works just fine as it is.

he obviously has his eye on a new home ,knock out the competion and there is more for him

[Tony Clifton]

The police force is most likely the one to interact with the public and the most visible. They should be first in line when it comes to reform.

You mean to say that just because we don't see military corruption, even if it is as bad, it is not important?

I did not say it was not important.

As I've told you before, I' ve had to deal with corrupt policemen countless times, never with anyone from the military. Thais never warn me about dealing with the military, why?

[ColPyat]

The police force is most likely the one to interact with the public and the most visible. They should be first in line when it comes to reform.

You mean to say that just because we don't see military corruption, even if it is as bad, it is not important?

I did not say it was not important.

As I've told you before, I' ve had to deal with corrupt policemen countless times, never with anyone from the military. Thais never warn me about dealing with the military, why?

Well, because military officers siphoning off huge amounts of money from state budgets for weapons purchases and funds for places like the south does not affect your personal life as directly as a small traffic cop asking for a bribe at the corner. But it does affect the state, and has done so for decades.

Most large scale cross border drug business has significant military involvement, cross border illegal arms business as well.

Rank and admission has to be bought as well in the military.

Maybe you should look beyond the rim of the screen of your car.

[richard10365]

PM vows to eradicate police corruption

The Prime Minister affirms that reform of the nation's law enforcement institute will result in an orderly and honest society.

Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont reports that government plans to reform the nation into a just society will include restructuring of law enforcement institutes, decentralization of police administration, the establishment of an independent committee to oversee law enforcement action, and the revision of various laws and regulations to promote coooperation between the public and the police.

The Prime Minister asked that police officers not be distressed over the government's reformation plans.

He affirmed that authorities will rid the law enforcement institute of corruption and create a society based on the doctrine of law, resulting in an equal and fair state.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 June 2007

Is Thaskin back? I suppose he will eliminate poverty next.

[larvidchr]

The police force is most likely the one to interact with the public and the most visible. They should be first in line when it comes to reform.

You mean to say that just because we don't see military corruption, even if it is as bad, it is not important?

I did not say it was not important.

As I've told you before, I' ve had to deal with corrupt policemen countless times, never with anyone from the military. Thais never warn me about dealing with the military, why?

Well, because military officers siphoning off huge amounts of money from state budgets for weapons purchases and funds for places like the south does not affect your personal life as directly as a small traffic cop asking for a bribe at the corner. But it does affect the state, and has done so for decades.

Most large scale cross border drug business has significant military involvement, cross border illegal arms business as well.

Rank and admission has to be bought as well in the military.

Maybe you should look beyond the rim of the screen of your car.

Not to mention the use off government land (bases) to private profit enterprices, and renting out of serving personel as security guards the list goes on and on.

Kind regards

[PhilHarries]

Report from today's Bangkok Post shows Thai people don't care about corruption. This supports what I have said before, the Thais only worry about what directly affects themselves. They cannot see the damage done to the nation because it isn't apparent to them.

A opinion poll which concludes Bangkok people don't really believe honesty is always the best policy shows a worrying decline in the morality of Thai society, Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham said yesterday.

The Abac Poll surveyed 2,506 people in Bangkok and nearby provinces and found that more than 70% of them were ready to ''accept'' a corrupt government if it would improve their own well-being.

Rest of article here : http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Jun2007_news10.php

[Dupont]

Report from today's Bangkok Post shows Thai people don't care about corruption. This supports what I have said before, the Thais only worry about what directly affects themselves. They cannot see the damage done to the nation because it isn't apparent to them.

A opinion poll which concludes Bangkok people don't really believe honesty is always the best policy shows a worrying decline in the morality of Thai society, Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham said yesterday.

The Abac Poll surveyed 2,506 people in Bangkok and nearby provinces and found that more than 70% of them were ready to ''accept'' a corrupt government if it would improve their own well-being.

Rest of article here : http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Jun2007_news10.php

It's how they phrased the question and the answer is true of people the world over. Could be paraphrased

in the west as:

Would you be worried if your stock broker was a shady character so long as he earned massive returns on your investments year in year out?

Or an old one for us British here:

If England won the World cup with Terry Venebles at the helm, would his Tax evasion worry you?

It's nice to have a social consience, but the hard realities of life take precendence the world over. Thats why socialism is dead or dying the world over.

Nice bearded men and earnest, plain looking women with no make-up, supporting African causes, gay marriage, "The Environment", keeping young violent drug addicts OUT OF prison, higher benefits for the work shy and collecting more taxes from the hard working to donate to these causes. OT. anyone watched the BBC recently and wondered if life goes on outside of these issues and areas?

Thanks but no thanks, we vote with our wallets as much in the west as the Thais do. Its no surprise to me, and feeding your family and bettering your lot is certainly not morally wrong and has been the key to survival since the first spark of life on this planet millions of years ago.

Any of us who are so mortally offended by Thai Society and behaviour can book a flight and be out of here withing 12 hours! and within 24 hours, realising how grey and bland our home countries are and booking the next flight back to LOS

Edited June 12, 2007 by Dupont

[tijnebijn]

How many time I have heard this before?corruption is impossible to rule out,they should start with civil servants,to pay them more money.And bigger penalties for seniors when doing,and big bonusus for people who can find evidence.Will it ever happen?

I do not think so!

[soundman]

How many time I have heard this before?corruption is impossible to rule out,they should start with civil servants,to pay them more money.And bigger penalties for seniors when doing,and big bonusus for people who can find evidence.Will it ever happen?

I do not think so!

The money has to come from somewhere. Half their numbers? Raise taxes?

Not going to happen to any drastic extent in the forseeable future.

Soundman.

[mellow1]

Good thing he only mentioned the Police.

Look at the millions he made in the military,and he could not even read a map,and wound up building his house, in a forest preserve.

I guess the place to be to make money in the future is: The Independent Committee To Oversee Law Enforcement Action.

I wonder how much you have to pay to get into that.Wonder if I can get in ,if I get a work permit.

[scaramangax12]

hmmmm I will believe it when I see it

[Ping]

'...will include restructuring of law enforcement institutes, decentralization of police administration, the establishment of an independent committee to oversee law enforcement action, and the revision of various laws and regulations...'

Seems to me that this is more about consolidating military power/influence. If administration is decentralised and there is an oversighting committee (for independent, read army controlled), then this may support future military action in respect of an elected government even if the police hierarchy are philosophically opposed to a coup. In other words, another impossible coup could be staged at any time...