RTP chief calls for review of procedures after mass shooting in NE Thailand

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

The commander of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat has said there will be a full review of police procedures after the devastating shooting and stabbing incident at a pre-school in Nong Bua Lamphu, NE Thailand yesterday. 

 

As of mid afternoon 36 people including 24 children were confirmed dead in an incident that shocked Thailand and the world, reported Thai Rath. 

 

Other news outlets later said that 38 had died including the shooter - Pol Sgt Panya Khamrab - and his wife and three year old child.

 

Panya - nickname Man - arrived at the center in Uthai Sawan in a Toyota Vigo and shot several staff outside before breaking into a room where children were sleeping. Most were stabbed.

 

Panya, a former officer of the Na Wang police, then drove home to his house and was later surrounded after burning out his vehicle.

 

Damrongsak along with Pol Gen Surachate Hakpan and Pol Lt-Gen Samran Nuanma appeared at a press conference yesterday evening.

 

Damrongsak, who has just taken over the RTP leadership in an annual reshuffle, said that Panya had been dismissed from the force but had continued to take drugs and have paranoid and stress attacks. 

He said that the suspect's 9 mm gun used in the attack was a private weapon. 

 

He said that lessons needed to be learned from the tragedy and promised an overhaul of police procedures in tackling such an event. 

 

He said that drug suspects need to be watched and encouraged to go in to rehab.

 

Also response times of the police need to be examined.

 

He said that the target was near Panya's home and it was likely chosen as an easy option for victims who would be unable to fight back. 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-10-07

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[Laughing Gravy]

Long overdue and it isn't the first time police chiefs have asked for a review. I will be surprised if anything really changes but live in hope.

Edited October 7, 2022 by Laughing Gravy

[djayz]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

there will be a full review of police procedures

A bit late now mate. 

[Aussieroaming]

Which procedures are being reviewed? Effective Drug Running, Corruption 101, how to kill a suspect without being caught, how to avoid policing when there isn't any personal gain to be made, best practice in stand over tactics......etc, etc, etc.

 

The RTP spawn people like the killer because the RTP is inherently corrupt and full of nepotism. 

[spidermike007]

Imagine being a fly on the wall, in that meeting?

I know this is a radical idea, but maybe we should vet people first, before taking them on as cops? And perhaps if every other cop in every department has a hard time working with a guy, maybe we should let him go? And if he is repeatedly caught using, or peddling drugs, maybe we should fire him? And if he repeatedly threatens people with his gun, maybe we should consider him unstable, and a threat to civilians? 

 

Nearly every Thai person I speak with dislikes, and disrespects the RTP. They are toxic. Reform is overdue by decades. Will it ever happen? That is very much in doubt. 

[newnative]

From his description it sounds like a very piddling review.  I didn't read anything about background checks, stringent performance reviews, getting rid of bad cops, etc.

[hotchilli]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

The commander of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat has said there will be a full review of police procedures after the devastating shooting and stabbing incident at a pre-school in Nong Bua Lamphu, NE Thailand yesterday. 

How about history checks of new recruits and stop the "cover-ups" so that bad apples are kicked out.

[hotchilli]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that drug suspects need to be watched and encouraged to go in to rehab.

FORCED

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, newnative said:

From his description it sounds like a very piddling review.  I didn't read anything about background checks, stringent performance reviews, getting rid of bad cops, etc.

Sacking 50% of the force would be embarrassing.

[mikebell]

17 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

The RTP spawn people like the killer because the RTP is inherently corrupt and full of nepotism. 

Totally agree.  Cops are a protected species universally hated and feared by the public.  The RTP allows this atmosphere to persist thus breeding bullies and cowards.  Thailand will continue to be a Banana Republic till it gets a proper police force.