Daily News Thai Caption: Responding to government policy

 

Daily News reported on the next phase of the recovery from the pandemic and especially the role of the Royal Thai Police.

 

They reported on the comments of deputy RTP spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen as the government extended the emergency decree from today and warned people not to let down their guard on Covid especially when it comes to large gatherings and being in close proximity in crowds.

 

ASEAN NOW notes that this can be seen in two ways, reading between the lines. Firstly a genuine interest in ensuring that the country moves into the endemic phase and doesn't get pushed back.

 

But secondly - and more insidiously - making sure that protests against the government are kept under wraps under the guise of stopping Covid getting worse again.

 

And also a rebuke to the RTP about corruption related to things like illegal casino operation and back handers on matters related to illegal immigration as 750,000 workers are needed to return from neighboring countries to take up the slack of Thai workers unwilling to fill low paid jobs. 

 

The Daily News article contained the usual rhetoric about making sure that Covid rules are followed related to the government's policies and their implementation by the RTP.

 

But the media picked up on Krissana's comments that are directly from RTP chief Pol Gen Suwat Changyodsuk regarding police who fail to do their duty.

 

He referred to some police jurisdictions and individuals as "yon yan"; this word relates to English terms like laxity and being flabby and flaccid. 

 

Suwat is clearly ready to come down like a ton of bricks on officers under his command who take back handers and who don't uphold the law in the coming months. 

 

Krissana said this relates to direct involvement in criminal activity and involvement in a roundabout way.

 

This provided ample scope for Suwat to warn his men that they are on watch by PM Prayuth Chan-ocha.

 

At a time when the government is under pressure to deliver and will soon face a new election. 

 

Prayuth also heads the Police Commission that looks into RTP behavior. They have been busy recently trying to clean up the notoriously dirty state of Thai policing. 

 

Since the start of the year more than 130 officers have been thrown out for corruption. 

 

Now under the guise of ensuring post pandemic policies are followed there appears to be a new thrust to call the RTP to order, suggests ASEAN NOW.

 

This could also explain RTP poster boy Pol Lt-Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakpan's scathing attack on the Pattaya  force at the weekend. 

 

In many ways the RTP in Thailand are seen as a law unto themselves and critics suggest they are little more than a mafia organization. 

 

Attempts by politicians to rein them in are nothing new and rhetoric is rarely backed up with real action.

 

But as Thailand moves towards a new phase of Covid restrictions being eased, yet some still enforced - and a tourism high season from November to February that should mark the beginning of the return to mass tourism - it will be interesting to see how the police as well as other public agencies react to political

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-08-01

 

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demands. 

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

Suwat is clearly ready to come down like a ton of bricks on officers under his command who take back handers and who don't uphold the law in the coming months. 

 

A cultural overhaul???

750,000 workers are needed to return from neighboring countries to take up the slack of Thai workers unwilling to fill low paid jobs. Or persons to fill jobs with lower pay then paying Thais more like it !

Suwat warns his men that they are on watch by PM Prayuth Chan-ocha.

 

At a time when the government is under pressure to deliver and will soon face a new election. 

How many years have they had to do this ? Just mention an election and appear to be doing something to make the Government look good for the voters not a new trick by Governments !

 

This is all about junta boss Prayut desire to have full control , nothing to do whit the covid flu anymore.

If the BiB actually got out there on the streets, they would shape up and probably take an interest in their job, they just need that push...????

They have been busy recently trying to clean up the notoriously dirty state of Thai policing. 

 

Looks like they have a 100 year cleaning plan ????